Artist Philip A. Robinson Jr., "Old Talks With New Icons" Solo Exhibition, Artwork by Artist Philip A. Robinson Jr, at The High Line Nine, presented by The Untitled Space and Chashama July - August 2022, Photography by Anice Woodard
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Artist Philip A. Robinson Jr. and The Untitled Space founder Indira Cesarine, "Old Talks With New Icons" Solo Exhibition, Artwork by Artist Philip A. Robinson Jr, at The High Line Nine, presented by The Untitled Space and Chashama July - August 2022, Photography by Anice Woodard
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Philip A. Robinson Jr. “Old Talks with New Icons”
An exhibition presented by The Untitled Space at The High Line Nine
in collaboration with Chashama
EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW
July 8-August 26, 2022
HIGH LINE NINE GALLERIES
507 W 27th Street, NYC
Gallery 8
Mixed media artist Philip A. Robinson Jr. opened his new exhibition “Old Talks with New Icons” at the High Line Nine Galleries on Thursday night. The exhibition was presented by The Untitled Space in collaboration with non-profit arts organization, Chashama. The works will be on view now through August 26th. “Old Talks with New Icons” features a collection of wooden sculptures as well as hand-cut works on paper. Robinson was inspired to create works that illustrate the lack of representation of marginalized identities in art.
The collection’s wooden wall sculptures are placed over mirror finish stainless steel. The faces of the work’s subjects are missing so that the observer can place their own face into the artwork by looking into the mirror. “You’re able to really put yourself in the position of others, while also maybe seeing yourself in the space where you wouldn’t necessarily have thought to see,” said Robinson, who flew to New York from Portland for the artist reception.
Some of the icons depicted in the collection include a portrait reminiscent of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. When it came to choosing who to depict, Robinson wanted the work’s subjects to be universal.
“I wanted to have a little something for everyone where everyone would feel that they are represented. So I just didn’t want to have things that were more male-dominated. I didn’t want to have things that were super female. I wanted to have nonbinary entities” – Philip A. Robinson Jr.
Robinson’s own mixed African American, Cherokee, and Trinidadian ancestry are also an inspiration to his work, which honors history but also challenges identity.
“The work is just an extension of who I am. Anyone who knows me or knows my work or my history, you can also see me and all the works” – Philip A. Robinson Jr.
Sustainability is a key element of Robinson’s work. The treated wood and mirror finish stainless steel ensures the works will not rust or fall apart in the passage of time. “These works are meant to last, they’re meant to stand the test of time,” said Robinson.
“The work is really meant to be seen. It’s meant to help those that again, want to see themselves represented.” – Philip A. Robinson Jr.
Robinson received his BFA in Studio Art from Skidmore College and his MFA in Sculpture from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers. Some of Robinson’s notable exhibitions include the Prizm Art Fair during Miami Art Basel, The Black Wall Street Gallery, the Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, the Rush Arts Gallery, the Barrett Art Center, LuluLemon (Hudson Yards), The National Academy Museum and School, the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibition, The Frances Young Tang Museum and Art Gallery, 14C Jersey City Art show & Juried Exhibition, The Bronx Art Space and more. “Old Talks with New Icons” marks Robinson’s second solo show with The Untitled Space.
Event Photography by Ani Woodard
