Part II |
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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
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"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.
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- 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
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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
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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.
- Playground, 2001
- 30" x 22", oil pastel on paper
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