My paintings are essays of observation, born from a relentless examination of my milieu.

Rather than shout, my paintings speak softly. Their messages, both personal and profound audible only to those who make the effort to listen.

By documenting time, I attempt to slow its quickening pace; such that for the briefest of moments there is just the viewer, my painting and the space between.

Themes of impermanence, aspirations and failed ambition underpin carefully constructed aesthetic elements of composition, texture and the interplay of warm and cool.

Inspired by history, I extract from the present. Artifacts and textures that reflect the beauty and nobility of decline and question the modern obsession with perfection.

While my subjects and technique are intentionally very real, the context in which they are painted is less defined.

By transcending the confines of specific place and time, my messages, personal in their inception, become universal in their application.

As I move through life, I am confronted by questions of doubt, isolation and anxiety. And for these many questions, painting is my only answer.

Robin Eley was born in London in 1978, migrating with his family to Australia at the age of 3. In 1997 he moved to California where he attended Westmont College, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts and captaining the basketball team.

In 2002 he returned to Australia where he now lives with his wife Rachel.

Robin is represented by-

2012
ArtsSA Grant for International Exhibition of Paintings, "Journeys- Westmont Artists' Alumni Invitational", USA

2012
Finalist, The Archibald Prize, for "Bibliography"

2011
Finalist, Nora Heysen Still Life Art Award, for "Critical Mass"

2010
Highly Commended Award, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, for "The Shadows of His Former Self"

2010
Runner Up, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for "Self Portrait"

2010
Finalist, Eutick Memorial Still Life Art Prize for "Door Knobs and Twine"

2010
Winner, Star Portraits, RSASA Spring Exhibition

2008
Emerging Artist Award, Rip it Up Magazine

2012
Journeys- Westmont Alumni Artists' Invitational (group exhibition), Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, California, USA

2012
The Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, Australia

2012
Singularity (solo exhibition), Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide, Australia

2012
Chinese Australia (group exhibition), Ausin Tung Gallery, Melbourne, Australia

2011
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Sydney, Australia

2010
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Sydney, Australia

2010
Eutick Memorial Still Life Art Prize, Coffs Harbour, Australia

2010
Royal South Australian Society of Arts Spring Exhibition, Adelaide, Australia