Thank you for this article highlighting the cultural desert we find ourselves in when such agreat artists passes without the public recognition being given to their contribution to the arts. I have always been in awe of Robinson's work since a friend and I saw his energetic, playful intimate farm yard pictures in Ray Hugh's gallery. Many years later I was blown away by those large kaleidoscopic mountain landscapes that seemed to take one on a round trio down into them. May he rest in peace.
Perhaps the balance of Bill and your distress about the state of arts journalism could have been a little better, John. But I do think the ABC Radio National tribute with Phillip Bacon (for 19 minutes) was worth a mention
Hi John , As always I very much appreciate your frankness . At so many levels valuable time is spent on fluffiness . Yet when we lose an icon of the arts , we hear nothing . The truly unfortunate aspect of all of this is that it merely highlights, even additional to the arts , how so much of our focus as a country has been lost on matters of importance . Without necessary change , this apathy is not leading our country to a happy place !
I suspect if you became aware of William Robinson in the 80s and 90s or think that Meanjin is an important publication then you are at least in your sixties now. There are a couple of generations of people younger than you that grew up with computers, phones, streaming services and social media, that now form the bulk of the potential audience for "culture". Their attention is divided between all these things and their finances constrained (by insane housing prices) in a way many of us born in the 60s and 70s are not.
So, I'd lean towards giving them a bit of a break. If Robinson was as important to them then maybe
coverage of his passing in the fragmented media we have now would have been more extensive.
I think the media mostly reflects what they think their audience wants to read about.
That's true, but don't underestimate the media's role in 1. actively shaping & encouraging readers' tastes 2. Making sweeping assumptions about what 'old' stuff doesn't interest younger audiences. I genuinely believe there are a lot of younger readers who don't fit the media's 'pop culture' mentality. You don't have to be 50-60 to appreciate Bill Robinson more than Sabrina Carpenter.
Right on again about the decline of culture. It's right throughout the western world not just in Australia. Having not originated in the Australian ethos.
It was in 2015 at the old governor's house on Brisbane Uni campus that I first experienced Robinsons paintings. I had known of his work through reproductions and was eager to see his paintings in the flesh.
Nothing could prepare me for the experience, I was floored by them. His combination of infinite magnitude with an almost Victorian lace makers delicacy.
How a mind living in a rainforest outside Brisbane without direct access to his prototypes could have synthesized some much to create a vision so original still staggers me.
I had worked opposite the Met and ritualistically visited their collection and shows for 40 years, every fortnight, having given up on MOMA and the contemporary art scene. It appears to me there is more new in the old. I think Robinson was of this mindset.
I also think it not an exaggeration saying Robinson was the greatest landscape painter in the Anglosphere in the past 50 years.
And not likely another of this genius for another 50.
Yes, it's really disappointing that someone like Bill was not better recognised at the end. The media ignores things of lasting value and goes nuts for trash,
Thank you John. I did wonder what you would say. We had a Robinson in the family for a long time. Mum was a collector, knew her art, was a volunteer guide in the Edmund era. Painted in her spare time. She like me would have been very disappointed with the coverage of his passing, the lack of recognition by the mainstream media of his work and our loss. Jeff
Thank you for this article highlighting the cultural desert we find ourselves in when such agreat artists passes without the public recognition being given to their contribution to the arts. I have always been in awe of Robinson's work since a friend and I saw his energetic, playful intimate farm yard pictures in Ray Hugh's gallery. Many years later I was blown away by those large kaleidoscopic mountain landscapes that seemed to take one on a round trio down into them. May he rest in peace.
Thank you John, I share your views about Bill Robinson and I too was staggered at the lack of response to this great loss to Australian art.
Perhaps the balance of Bill and your distress about the state of arts journalism could have been a little better, John. But I do think the ABC Radio National tribute with Phillip Bacon (for 19 minutes) was worth a mention
I was largely referring to the written word, Jeremy. Did they talk to anyone else apart from Philip?
Hi John , As always I very much appreciate your frankness . At so many levels valuable time is spent on fluffiness . Yet when we lose an icon of the arts , we hear nothing . The truly unfortunate aspect of all of this is that it merely highlights, even additional to the arts , how so much of our focus as a country has been lost on matters of importance . Without necessary change , this apathy is not leading our country to a happy place !
I suspect if you became aware of William Robinson in the 80s and 90s or think that Meanjin is an important publication then you are at least in your sixties now. There are a couple of generations of people younger than you that grew up with computers, phones, streaming services and social media, that now form the bulk of the potential audience for "culture". Their attention is divided between all these things and their finances constrained (by insane housing prices) in a way many of us born in the 60s and 70s are not.
So, I'd lean towards giving them a bit of a break. If Robinson was as important to them then maybe
coverage of his passing in the fragmented media we have now would have been more extensive.
I think the media mostly reflects what they think their audience wants to read about.
That's true, but don't underestimate the media's role in 1. actively shaping & encouraging readers' tastes 2. Making sweeping assumptions about what 'old' stuff doesn't interest younger audiences. I genuinely believe there are a lot of younger readers who don't fit the media's 'pop culture' mentality. You don't have to be 50-60 to appreciate Bill Robinson more than Sabrina Carpenter.
Right on again about the decline of culture. It's right throughout the western world not just in Australia. Having not originated in the Australian ethos.
It was in 2015 at the old governor's house on Brisbane Uni campus that I first experienced Robinsons paintings. I had known of his work through reproductions and was eager to see his paintings in the flesh.
Nothing could prepare me for the experience, I was floored by them. His combination of infinite magnitude with an almost Victorian lace makers delicacy.
How a mind living in a rainforest outside Brisbane without direct access to his prototypes could have synthesized some much to create a vision so original still staggers me.
I had worked opposite the Met and ritualistically visited their collection and shows for 40 years, every fortnight, having given up on MOMA and the contemporary art scene. It appears to me there is more new in the old. I think Robinson was of this mindset.
I also think it not an exaggeration saying Robinson was the greatest landscape painter in the Anglosphere in the past 50 years.
And not likely another of this genius for another 50.
Yes, it's really disappointing that someone like Bill was not better recognised at the end. The media ignores things of lasting value and goes nuts for trash,
It was only Philip - but very warm and wise
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-radio-national-hour/the-life-and-legacy-of-artist-william-robinson/105709612
Thank you John. I did wonder what you would say. We had a Robinson in the family for a long time. Mum was a collector, knew her art, was a volunteer guide in the Edmund era. Painted in her spare time. She like me would have been very disappointed with the coverage of his passing, the lack of recognition by the mainstream media of his work and our loss. Jeff
I sometimes wish I'd been more of a collector than a commentator!