Paul Robas
14 September - 21 October, 2023
This online exhibition marks the gallery's first digital presentation and introduces the works of Vienna based Romania artist Paul Robas (b. 1989). Through experimentation and a serious commitment to painting practices, Robas has developed a unique language that blends a deep understanding for the history of the medium and an irreverent approach to its current status.
Paul Robas
Thud, 2023
Ink and acrylic on board
40 x 30 cm; 15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in
'The surface of the work is crucial because is what gives its identity. An interesting surface allows your eyes to wander over a painting, providing a respite from the search for meaning. It adds another dimension to the work, almost transforming the painting into an object. In my case, the surface quality results from both the process of constructing the image and my deliberate decisions on its appearance. It's a blend of careful planning and serendipitous discoveries.'
- Paul Robas
'The way I use brushes is akin to drawing, and I've found that worn-out brushes are the best, as they can produce unexpectedly beautiful and interesting textures. Initially, I apply layers of different colors and transparencies. To impart depth to the picture, I apply glazes between these layers. The gradual buildup of these layers creates the distinctive surfaces of my works, characterised by an interplay of shiny and matte areas.'
- Paul Robas
Paul Robas
Beside the point, 2023
Ink and acrylic on canvas
42 x 32 cm; 16 1/2 x 12 5/8 in
'Recently, I've been drawn to depicting faces because they can effortlessly convey powerful emotions, and people relate to faces more readily than to objects. Morphing the figures in my work adds to the uncanny atmosphere, resembling faded memories.'
- Paul Robas
Paul Robas
Pins and Needles, 2023
Ink and acrylic on canvas
29 x 41 cm; 11 3/8 x 16 1/8 in
' I've recently ventured into experimenting with AI-generated images because, with the right input, you can achieve valuable results. I find it fascinating when new technologies and old mediums seamlessly merge. This approach sometimes prompts the question: Is it still painting? I'm interested in exploring this question rather than simply creating aesthetically pleasing images.'
- Paul Robas
'This process is akin to 17th-century artists using the "Camera Obscura" to project images onto their canvas. I'm proficient in using image processing softwares, and the possibilities they offers are limitless. I aim to leverage the tools and technology available today to convey my vision effectively. It's not about cutting corners; rather, it's about maximising available resources and skills, without being constrained by tradition.'
- Paul Robas
Paul Robas
One weird trick, 2023
Ink and acrylic on board
40 x 30 cm; 15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in
'There isn't a straightforward story tying the works together. Instead, there's a broad narrative where the subjects of my work interact within intimate spaces. I aim to evoke a dreamlike atmosphere filled with melancholy and longing, where time slows down to the point of freezing. This temporal stillness serves as an invitation to reflection, in stark contrast to today's hectic world. I'm not seeking answers; rather, I'm posing questions and leaving the work in a state of undefined permanence.
Certainly, the source material I use and how I arrange the composition also play a role in connecting the works. If I approach it intuitively, a story can reveal itself, and I like to keep my works open enough for people to relate to and interpret them.
- Paul Robas
Paul Robas' studies in Cluj-Napoca (RO) were centered around drawing, printmaking, and photography. The rigid structure of the university pushed him to explore alternative uses of these traditional mediums. Through experimenting with printmaking, he discovered unique ways to give his work a distinctive appearance.
During his Erasmus semester in Krakow, Robas had the chance to work in a printing studio that, despite its traditional nature, favored an experimental approach. It was here that he learned various techniques such as woodcut, etching, linocut, lithography, mezzotint, drypoint, and aquatint. Lithography, in particular, was one that he carried on exploring due to its versatility.
Upon returning to Romania, Robas attempted to replicate the appearance of lithograph prints using alternative methods, as he didn't always have access to a lithography studio. Eventually, he streamlined the process to the point where he began transferring inkjet prints to create monotypes. Simultaneously, he delved into black and white film photography, mastering film development and enlarging negatives onto photographic paper. His photographic focus primarily encompassed buildings, street scenes, and interiors. The meticulous nature of this work influenced his subsequent painting practice, instilling a methodical and contemplative approach.
As time passed, Robas started combining the techniques he had learned, transferring photographs while incorporating drawings and various printmaking techniques. Eventually, the technical aspects of his practice became time-consuming and obstructed his creative flow. So, he decided it was the opportune moment to shift to painting. Painting offered immediacy and allowed him to translate his ideas more dynamically than printmaking. Although it marked a technical departure from graphics and photography, he applies the same research and experimental approach. He initially used oil paints but later switched to acrylics due to becoming allergic to turpentine. This serendipitous discovery forced the artist to develop new techniques to create captivating surfaces with acrylics, eventually discovering the unique effects he sought to achieve.
Paul Robas (b. 1989) is a Romanian artist currently living and working in Vienna. He obtained a BFA from the University of Arts and Design Cluj, Romania (2011) and an MFA from the Academy of fine Arts Vienna, Austria (2018). His work has been shown across Europe with his latest solo show taking place at Galleria Solito in Naples (IT) earlier this year. His work featured in group shows at NewNow Artspace, Frankfurt (DE); Elektrohalle Rohmberg, Salzburg (AT); New Jörg, Vienna (AT); and FunfzigZwanzig, Salzburg, (AT) amongst others.