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Works by Jeff Robinson
On view October 27 - November 18, 2023
BNSF Railway Gallery
Exhibition Statement
My life has always been characterized by the desire to do something different, to explore new horizons. I feel compelled to create, a desire to make something uniquely mine. In my years of working with clay, I would create unique pieces using a colorful overlapping, glazing technique on my work. In building furniture, I would at times create pieces that were very organic. I then built pieces that had wonderful random geometric patterns to them. In my sculptures I have continued to combine many of these elements. The
beautiful color and interesting grain patterns of the different woods add a unique beauty to my pieces.
As in nature, where no two things are exactly the same, my sculptures are each
unique. With the construction and finishing of one, it brings the excitement and enthusiasm of going on to the next one, learning from the previous pieces and creating a new piece that stimulates both myself, and anyone that takes the time to experience and enjoy them.
Artist Bio
During the late 1960’s, Jeff Robinson spent much of his time traveling the
country. While making his way through Texas, Jeff encountered a potter in Fort
Worth and became determined to study the craft. Jeff then returned to Florida
Atlantic University at the end of the decade, where he had previously been
studying business, and eagerly enrolled in ceramics. After several semesters as
a student, he took on the role of an apprentice for the School’s ceramic teacher,
David Tell.
After working for a year for Mr. Tell, Jeff was called back to the road by his other
love, traveling. Shortly thereafter, Jeff settled down in Southwest Louisiana’s
Thibodaux, where he and a group of friends established an artist’s community
based on their ceramic work named Good Earth Pottery. Good Earth Pottery
became well known for their creative work, and for helping to establish “Art
Pottery” in the Southeastern US. From 1970-1975 Good Earth Pottery won
numerous awards and received an array of local press in both print and
broadcast news.
In 1976, Good Earth Pottery relocated to a 120-acre farm in Evening Shade,
Arkansas where Jeff continued to work as a full time studio artist, exhibiting
around the country in galleries and fine art shows until 1981. Colorful, flowing
patterns were the trademark of his work.
Jeff’s love affair with wood began in the late 80's in San Diego, after retiring from
ceramics due to injuries developed from hours at the wheel. Jeff turned his
creative energy to woodworking, initially creating one-of-a-kind furniture for
himself, family and his friends.
For the next two decades, Jeff went on to help open and expand Solar Contract
Carpet, a successful flooring business in multiple states, while continuing to
make furniture on the side as a passionate hobby. His unique furniture featured
signature curves and flowing lines, often mirroring the landscapes seen
throughout his travels.
After relocating to Dallas in 2010, Jeff continued to create furniture, though his
aesthetic began to change as he turned his attention towards detailed inlay work,
including a circular dining room table that can expand to seat 18. This work led
him to create his first wood sculpture in early 2011, though he had envisioned
them years earlier.
Influenced by the glazing designs from his previous ceramic work, Jeff uses
hundreds to thousands of hardwood pieces of varying shapes and sizes, and
joins them together, resulting in a surface on each sculpture with intricately
composed geometric landscapes.
Constructed from hardwoods, primarily from North America, South America, and
Africa, no stains are involved in the finishing of the sculptures. The colors and
patterns radiate from the natural beauty of the wood, including Canarywood,
Lacewood, Walnut, Purpleheart, Wenge, Zebrawood, Bocote, Maple, and dozens
of others.
Jeff’s current sculptures are very large in scale, and take between 300 to 500
hours per sculpture to complete. He creates a balance between the geometric,
patterned element and the pyramidal base. The joining of these two pieces
creates the illusion that the piece is balancing precipitously on edge. The
"tunnels" that pass through each piece add a unique perspective, allowing light to
pass through an otherwise solid form.
Sculpture Exhibitions:
MADI Museum of Geometric Art Dallas, TX 7/18/14 thru 10/5/14
MADI Museum of Geometric Art Dallas, TX 2015 Biennial 7/10/15 thru 10/4/15
Wall Gallery 1529 Dragon St Dallas, TX Solo Exhibition 3/16/17 thru 4/13/17
Jones Gallery Kansas City, KA 7/3/21 thru 9/1/2