Robyn Ward
Born
Dublin, Ireland
EducationCampbell College
OccupationPainter
Known for
Websiterobynwardart.com

Robyn Ward is an Irish contemporary artist. He uses mixed media on canvas and combines abstract and realist approaches. He is based in Mexico City.

Early life and education

Ward was born on 3 October 1982 in Dublin, where he lived for five years before moving to Belfast.[1] In 2019, Ward claimed that Campbell College expelled him aged fifteen[1] and that he spent his teenage years skateboarding and painting graffiti on derelict buildings[2] before adopting a nomadic lifestyle.[3] He worked in studios in Bangkok, Shanghai, Amsterdam and Mexico City.[3]

Career

Ward paints on canvas, using a multi-layered style.[4] He uses a mixed media of acrylics, inks, watercolours, Oil paint and spray paint.[4]

Ward cites Jackson Pollock, Banksy, and Hieronymus Bosch as inspiration for his work.[2] His subject matter comprises personal reflections and socio-political commentary.[2] This has included messages about sustainability, racism and bigotry, and the conflict in Ireland.[5]

In 2018, the Art Attack Exhibition at the Royal Monceau Gallery in Paris featured Ward's work.[4] In the same year, Ward displayed his artwork in six other exhibitions and solo shows.[4] His solo exhibition 'Once Upon a Time', held in May 2018 at the House of Fine Art in London, combined images of popular children's cartoon characters with reflections on racism and bigotry.[6] For example, one piece depicted Bugs Bunny with a picket sign reading 'no Blacks, no dogs, and no Irish'.[7]

In 2019, Ward exhibited a series of artworks entitled 'Plastic Nation' that aimed to draw attention to the global environmental crisis. The pieces focused on the impact of the world's consumption of single-use plastics.[1] Ward auctioned some of the artworks from 'Plastic Nation' to raise funds for a non-profit animal welfare charity.[8] Ward's 2021 exhibition 'Fucked at Birth' depicted destruction, violence, and societal breakdown.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Beattie, Jilly (5 March 2019). "Expelled from Campbell College, now artist Robyn Ward is on the wall with Banksy". Belfast Live. Reach plc. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Gordon, Len (9 September 2021). "Robyn Ward: An examination of destruction and society's systematic breakdown". Art Plugged. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 Roy, David (14 March 2019). "Artist Robyn Ward depicts endangered species in debut Irish exhibition". The Irish News. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "On the Spotlight Robyn Ward Fucked at Birth". Art Market Magazine. No. 62. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  5. ↑ Cowan, Katy (8 May 2018). "Once Upon a Time: Robyn Ward's paintings of iconic cartoon characters have a dual meaning". Creative Boom. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Bystander (22 September 2017). "Robyn Ward's exhibition launch". Tatler. Condé Nast. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "A clash of cartoons and racism brings Robyn Ward's work to gritty life". The Big Issue. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  8. ↑ Tenembaum, Laura (11 October 2019). "Nonprofit Group, Music Against Animal Cruelty, Raises Funds To Save Wildlife". Forbes. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
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