School & Community News

James Robie, class of 63, Art and Design Retrospective catalog

James Robie’s exhibition “My Life as Art” features paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs and graphic design spanning more than 40 years of Mr. Robie’s creative output.

According to the Gallery’s director Mr. James Sweeters “What’s interesting about this show is to not only to see the artistic development of Mr. Robie’s fine art but his development as a graphic designer, a profession he skillfully learned working first as a production artist with several prominent Los Angeles designers and later after he formed his own design firm in 1978.” Robert Bucker, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication added “It would be hard to determine by looking at this show if Robie considers himself a designer who paints or a painter who’s a designer. He’s approached each discipline with a focus and dedication that would make each one a success and perhaps it’s a moot point to ponder the question.”

Mr. Robie said, “My journey through life is reflected in my work. As I have grown as a person so my work has evolved and grown whether as a sculptor, painter or graphic designer.” The exhibition charts this journey. There are experimental prints and paintings made early in his career. Large soft lyrical figurative paintings of the 70s and early 80s cumulating in several fine beach scenes composed from photographs taken at Venice beach. Sculptures shown include several wood wall reliefs, and an assortment of wood and stone pieces that combine complex carving, many of the intricate carved pieces are carved from one solid piece of wood, with painted and metal oxidized surfaces.

Mr. Robie’s current graphic design projects and abstract paintings have mutually evolved from his earlier visual expression into a serious exploration of abstract thought and composition. With his recent work in both areas as powerful as he has ever produced.

California Senior Olympics

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