I find myself continually drawn to artists who realistically paint the human figure, but reimagine it in unique ways. ( see: Deborah Scott, Susan Hall, Jeff Whipple & so many more I’ve yet to share with you ). So it goes without saying that the work of New York based painter Robin Williams ( no, not THAT Robin Williams ) got me really excited.
You know I love work that’s just a little bit cheeky. Williams paints scenes from childhood imaginations & experiences and portraits of figures dressed up in a stunning array of absurd costumes. Her wide-eyed, willowy figures have a Norman Rockwell-ish timelessness to them. But Williams invests in her gawky, pre-pubescent figures a darkness and absurdity missing from Rockwell’s happy-go-lucky world.
Her portrait figures pose stiffly in outlandish costumes and headresses, seemingly unsure of how they found themselves in such a situation. Perhaps speaking to how we begin as wide-eyed children, but as we grow into adults, we find ourselves wearing the most ridiculous costumes in order to appear to fit into someone else’s conception of who we are.
Other figures find themselves in the midst of a preposterous scene, almost like a dream of a childhood memory.. the way we remember places and events from childhood in a more fantastical, exaggerated way.
The portraits, for me, especially convey that feeling of what it was like to be a kid full of energy and vitality only to be forced to sit still, whether in school, church, etc. That feeling of a corralled hurricane, just waiting to break free of the constraints being forced upon us. On second thought, you don’t have to be a child to feel that way, do you?
Please visit Robin Williams’ website to see more of her work online.
The featured image is titled Yellow Hat. All images courtesy of the artist’s website.
Comments
10 responses to “Playing Dress Up: Robin Williams”
Oh, these are fabulous! Those oh-so-impressive textures and reflections mixed into somewhat surreal scenes – thank you, Lesley, for bringing Williams’ work to my attention!
Those little discoveries inside each work are so nuanced! Glad you enjoyed them, Susan!
PS– haven’t forgotten about linking to your blog! On my to-do list. 🙂
We would love to post the 4th photo down at toemail if you do not mind?
We’d just need a location and we’d be good to go!
http://toemail.wordpress.com
You are welcome to repost the painting. If you click on the picture, you will automatically be taken to the picture’s page on the artist’s blog. I would ask that you please provide a link to both the artist’s website ( http://www.robinwilliamsart.com ) and my blog ( http://artsyforager.com ).
Thanks!
Will do but what city/state would you like us to post in the title of the photo?
We would normally do the blog owner’s yet have the link to the artist’s site.
Sorry … just needed more clarification.
Sent you an email!
If someone could actually recreate Robin Williams party hat that would be sweet! I love the somewhat willowy figures that Williams uses in his paintings, it gives so much character. Oh and I’m following you I hope you will pop over and follow me too.
C.ULT FRIDAY.
Thanks for stopping by! Glad you like Robin’s work, I agree, the party hat is fab!
[…] HAIR: Robin Williams Tired Prince by Robin […]