Senior artist Hilda Robinson presents us with strong, vibrant colors of urban
scenes. While her radiant colors and tranquil forms point towards optimism, an
undercurrent of contemplation, buried deep in the paint texture, belies this appearance of
unexamined comfort and content. It is this complex relationship, personal to the artist
herself as she struggled to succeed in an urban environment, which comes through in her
works.
First Day of School, 1999
32.5" x 40", oil pastel on paper
"Above
the Clouds" exemplifies Robinson's visceral enthusiasm, which is integral to her
painting style. To achieve this, she makes extensive use of oil pastels. Often the strokes
are firm, creating a smooth, thick swatch of saturated color. Sometimes color is applied
lightly, allowing for a grainy, crayon-like effect. These techniques are mixed freely and
consequently many of her forms take on an intense and visceral multi-colored rainbow hue.
Above the Clouds, 2002
17.5" x 19.5", oil pastel on paper
Amit May Collection
Meeting, 2002
15.5" x 22", oil pastel on paper
Rhythm,
color and form,
Done in the same fashion.
In a sense the pacing-
Similar to a choir singing,
Dancers dancing,
All interwoven with the Black Community.
Pattern on pattern,
Abstract representation,
Playing music, doing it with paint.
As Black people walk, move, talk,
Very visual, telling a good story.
By Dr. Dorothy Atkins, anthropologist and artist
Swingin', 2002
15" x 13.5", oil pastel on paper
After
graduating from the Tyler School of Fine Art in Pennsylvania, Ms. Robinson attended the
University of California at Berkeley, where she obtained her BA and MA degrees. Dedicated
to her local community, she has exhibited extensively at the Richmond Art Center's annual
Art of Living Black, where she was a recipient of the 2000 Jan Hart-Schuyers Merit Award.
In addition, she has exhibited at the SF African American Historical and Cultural Society,
the Berkeley Art Center and numerous other shows nationwide.
African American Gallery
Senior artist Hilda Robinson presents us with strong, vibrant colors of urban
scenes. While her radiant colors and tranquil forms point towards optimism, an
undercurrent of contemplation, buried deep in the paint texture, belies this appearance of
unexamined comfort and content. It is this complex relationship, personal to the artist
herself as she struggled to succeed in an urban environment, which comes through in her
works.
"Above
the Clouds" exemplifies Robinson's visceral enthusiasm, which is integral to her
painting style. To achieve this, she makes extensive use of oil pastels. Often the strokes
are firm, creating a smooth, thick swatch of saturated color. Sometimes color is applied
lightly, allowing for a grainy, crayon-like effect. These techniques are mixed freely and
consequently many of her forms take on an intense and visceral multi-colored rainbow hue.
After
graduating from the Tyler School of Fine Art in Pennsylvania, Ms. Robinson attended the
University of California at Berkeley, where she obtained her BA and MA degrees. Dedicated
to her local community, she has exhibited extensively at the Richmond Art Center's annual
Art of Living Black, where she was a recipient of the 2000 Jan Hart-Schuyers Merit Award.
In addition, she has exhibited at the SF African American Historical and Cultural Society,
the Berkeley Art Center and numerous other shows nationwide.
Amit May Fine Arts