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. [Retun to the Ron Robertson Portfolio]    RON ROBERTSON Ron Robertson creates a world of possibility with improbable materials. Classically trained as a painter, he has studied at the Academe Andre Lhote in Paris, at Black Mountain College in North Carolina with Ben Shahn and Robert Motherwell, and at Mexico City College. While living in Japan, Robertson researched and documented the work of six of Japan's foremost printmakers that led to the publication of his book, Contemporary Printmaking in Japan. Robertson has worked as an illustrator, designed-paint-by-number canvases, was an automotive stylist at Ford Motor Company, taught art in Japan, held an associate professorship at the UCSB Art Department and taught at Santa Barbara Art Institute. He was chair for several years at SBCC Art Department as well as an instructor in printmaking, silk-screen and painting. Now working primarily as an assemblage artist, Robertson first began working three- dimensionally in the 60's while in Japan. Though his assemblages are constructed of wood, plastic, illustration board, styrofoam, parts of toys or any everyday discard, the final work transcends the commonality of the objects. Objects and surfaces are painted to become, in effect, a three dimensional canvas. Robertson reshapes and joins the parts into complex constructions to convey philosophical, political, historical and religious statements often with ambiguity and humor. Robertson's experiences as an abalone diver result in the painted patina he uses to show the effect of time and change that nature and the ocean has on objects. Every form, whether man, maiden, dragon, weapon, rainbow, arch, portal, wheel, nail, soldier, madonna or images of heaven and hell, serves the vision that Robertson magically conveys in works that combine content and form with equal sensitivity. A factor in the political aspect of his work is the recognition of a tendency by humans to demonize those who do not subscribe to their views or mirror their ethnicity, a consideration that has many historical precedents. All life's activities are in a sense political in that one must choose to support either an authoritarian or a democratic way of life. Robertson's paintings, prints, calligraphy and assemblages are represented in publications and collections, and have been exhibited in Australia, Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and the U.S. [Ron Robertson Portfolio | Top]