Interview
Jul 24
Craig Robb
Sculptor, Craig Robb has spent most of his life in Colorado. His art has been exhibited and collected across the country. He graduated with honors from the University of Colorado at Denver. His art is sculptural wall work made mainly with wood, steel and acrylics. With these materials, he plays with movement, balance and space. He utilizes found objects represented alone or assembled with others relying on their inherent symbology or histories to create stories. His works are meant to be metaphorical in nature but can be appreciated simply as objects of beauty. The intent of the work is that hopefully, it might influence a viewer to look at their everyday surroundings differently. Robb’s publications include Best of America: Sculpture Artists, Internationale Kunst Heute, Famous Contemporary Artists and International Contemporary Artists. He was also selected to be included in the 50 Artist to Watch: 2023 Edition published by Florence Contemporary Gallery.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“It was never my intention to become an artist. Having two brothers in the arts and watching their struggles, I logically opted out of the field and pursued other endeavors. Seeking a change in my life, I returned to University and happened upon a teacher who saw within me my potential and encouraged it. After much resistance, I succumbed. Since then, making art has been a true passion of creating.”
What inspires you?
“There are many things that stimulate me to create. Sometimes, a visual cue, a random object or a pattern on a wall. At other times, a sensation, an emotion that arouses a feeling that I want to recreate in a sculpture. Also, I am an idealist in as I still believe that through my sculptures, I can impact a person in a positive way. To make them think or to reflect, or just to make them smile.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I like to create stories within my art. Relying on objects that are either symbolic or have a history connected to them. For example, I use the form of the house in a lot of my work. For me, it is a symbol for family but also as a place of refuge. When combining different visual cues, a statement evolves that has merit to me but then, not everybody sees the world as I do. Understanding that, I realize that someone looking at the work will make their own story based on their histories. It is always fascinating for me to hear another person’s interpretation of what I have made.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work was once labeled as metaphorical vistas, a description that I have always liked. Within these sculptures I include houses, chairs, and other objects that, with their inherent symbolism, develop statements about issues that are important to me. Many of my ideas stem from a fascination with how things are connected, both literally and figuratively. The combination of wood and curved steel are utilized as both compositional elements and to create spaces for these objects to reside. I have always been interested in how objects function within a given space, how they occupy it and the relationships created with the other objects in that space. Because of the broad range of symbolism, these sculptures can speak on many different levels and to many different people.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Those would the teachers who got me started in this Lorre Hoffman who taught me craft Brian Dreith who helped me understand concept and content And then my brother, Kevin who taught me passion of creating. I am also drawn to artists like Louis Nevelson and Louise Bourgeois, both of whom never stopped making their art and were always reinventing themselves.”
What is your creative process like?
“I never start with a drawing. The one time I did, I felt as if the art had already been made and that the next few months became a manufacturing process. Now, I just pull out my materials and lay them out until it feels right. With the objects that are included I often rely on my subconscious to aid with the right combinations; changing the mixture until a story results. Also, composition is important to the work. Positioning the steel and wood elements to create a flow and balance to each piece.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think as artists, we see the world in a different way. The great observers; seeing things most people miss. Through our art, we interpret our surroundings and help people see a different vision of the world that they live in. To bring grace or introspection to what, at times feels immense. The evolution of these roles is changing more with the institutions. I’m seeing more displays now that present installations purely meant to entertain. A form of escapism from our everyday trials and tribulations.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you’d like to share?
“I have been in many shows so hard to decide. Two shows that I do fondly remember would be my first solo show given to me by Josuha Hassel and a show called “Past Lives: Encounters from previous sojourns”. This second show was a collaboration between the poet, Hilary DiPolo and the artist where we were asked to respond to her poems and create a work of art. I was also selected to be included in the 50 Artist to Watch: 2023 Edition published by Florence Contemporary.”
Website: craigrobb.com
Instagram: @craiger3d
Other link: www.facebook.com/craig.robb.35