Robert Mearns paints portraits of people that you wished you had taken a better look at the first time around. That brief moment when you may have passed someone on the street and thought to yourself, “Man, what was up with that guy’s nose?” (Robert Mearns)
I heart Cam Reed - Robert Mearns
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PRACTICING ARTIST FOR, DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL AND WHERE ?
I've been making art as long as I can remember. I later attended Emily Carr and graduated back in 2006.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN VANCOUVER FOR ?
I've been working here for the past seven years. This city has a good way of getting a grip on you the longer you're here. The more I plant rots in Vancouver, the harder it is to leave.
WHAT MEDIUMS DO YOU WORK IN ?
I generally work in painting with acrylics, but I also play around with photography and film.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR ARTWORK ?
At the moment I am working with painting realistic portraiture of people in Vancouver. I try to capture an honest moment that someone shows when they are caught off guard. I'ts like a brief, intimate, instance of a social hiccup; when a person has let their guard down enough and makes that face right before they sneeze.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GROUP AND SOLO EXHIBITIONS YOU HAVE BEEN APART OF ? AND OR PROJECTS ?
I'm all over the map when it comes to shows and projects. I've had 4 solo shows over the past few years and quite a few group exhibitions. Last month I was a part of a David Cronenberg tribute show at the 107 Shaw Gallery for the Toronto Film Festival, as well as a collaborative art show project with PF Flyers and El Kartel here in Vancouver.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO DO YOUR WORK ?
People, generally, and the odd quirks and idiosyncrasies that come out in them if you pay enough attention. There are similarities that seems to be in so many differing social groups to see that there is something inherently strange about all of us. Nature vs. Nurture and all that.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON FOR THE FUTURE ?
I am working towards applying to a Masters program for Visual Arts. I am also currently working on a new album cover for Felix Cartel under Dim Mak records that should be out later this year.
You may see a nice selection of Robert's work here.Robert will also be showing at HERE IS NOW
