The work of Agnès Robin is, at a glance, like a breath of fresh air… powerful and evocative as it moves through you. Fashion-forward in the realms of street art and candy-colored couture, her muse serves as a visual tour de force, inviting you into the landscape of their lives.
By seamlessly intertwining art and fashion, Agnès Robin’s work unveils a multi-layered narrative that captivates the senses with an intriguing fusion of striking patterns and rich color palettes. Each piece tells a unique story, drawing the audience into the dynamics of such an engaging aesthetic. A testament to her innovative spirit and keen eye for detail, she challenges conventional norms and pushes boundaries, paving the way for a new era of artistic exploration.
Conveying an emotional composition embolden in tonalities, mood, strength, and texture we dare to understand and embrace the nature of her protagonists that speak a love language from the paint in which they have been created. Each painting resonates on a deeper level, embodying empowerment and a fierce sense of individuality and confidence.
The transfer of emotion and sensuality let us move through her world with the dualities of fiery energy and grace. Born in the Paris suburbs, Agnès Robin infuses her work with a resonating sense of nature and human complexity that invites viewers to explore the intricacies of her vision and compelling muse. Read on and discover her work in our exclusive interview!
The portraits of women became obvious to me. I remembered those that my dad made during his convalescence following his injury in the Algerian war. As a child, I was in awe of these portraits of nurses sketched by my dad. I followed in his footsteps and if he saw my achievements, I am sure he would be very proud.
Exclusive Interview with Agnès Robin
Agnès, it’s wonderful to speak with you and learn more about your work and passion for the arts. Thank you for sharing with our Beautiful Bizarre readers! Undoubtedly, your evocative portraits embrace their individual narrative; each vivacious within their bold compositions. When did you first feel the calling to be an artist? Was there a core inspiration or source of encouragement?
Since I was little, I have loved drawing and playing with colors. When I arrived in Quebec in 1986, to pass the time, I made my first portraits using the children I looked after as models. I already had a great interest in portraits and a lot of pleasure in making them. Following the opening of a painter friend, I slowly started painting again in 2012.
I really resumed the pleasure of making portraits when bedridden for 3 months due to an accident in Bali, I challenged myself to paint one portrait per day on 12” x 12” wooden panels. The portraits of women became obvious to me. I remembered those that my dad made during his convalescence following his injury in the Algerian war. As a child, I was in awe of these portraits of nurses sketched by my dad. I followed in his footsteps and if he saw my achievements, I am sure he would be very proud.
Similarly, what have been some of the biggest surprises and challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Knowing nothing about the art world, I naively believed that it was enough to create something beautiful to be accepted in this world… my big surprise was the critiques on my work, the look of certain people in my entourage, and their desire to make me do something other than what I wanted to achieve. For me, it was a big challenge because I was, and I’m still, full of doubts. But I’ve been able to overcome these judgments thanks to my stubbornness, and my deep desire to paint portraits of young women resembling me in their determination.
I will say that the big challenge for a beginning artist is to follow your path without listening too much to criticism, because there are always people around us who want to influence us one way or another. I have heard the suggestions of my gallerists but did not apply them all to my work because I wanted to remain honest with what I wanted to do. But I am not closed and listen carefully to the opinions of professionals on my work.
My portraits are always approached in a realistic way, but I have created around thirty portraits with even more pleasure and in a more playful way, especially for the backgrounds.
Describe a circumstance, experience, or something you’ve learned that has changed the way you approach your artwork. How has your artistic direction evolved from this?
Since my beginnings, I have applied great detail to the creation of my portraits. I had the chance to go see the Basquiat exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. I came away overwhelmed and wanted to explore a new avenue in my artistic approach. I gave myself more room to make ‘’mistakes’’, I let go of perfection a little, and let myself indulge in new ways of approaching my painting. My portraits are always approached in a realistic way, but I have created around thirty portraits with even more pleasure and in a more playful way, especially for the backgrounds. These creations will be revealed during a solo exhibition at the Beauchamp Gallery in Montreal in May 2024.
I adorn each of my portraits with a crown (borrowing from Basquiat to signify that my women are part of “royalty” and therefore part of society) as well as the animals that surround them. This element is like a signature.
Many of your paintings reveal black and white portraits with vibrant, abstract backgrounds akin to street art murals. I read that you “raise current issues such as the disappearance of species, the importance of caring for our animal world”. Why are these elements important to you and what do you feel is the most integral part of your work in terms of your creative expression, style, medium, and composition?
The choice of black and white for my portraits became evident as my practice progressed. I love the contrast this creates with my colorful backgrounds inspired by street art and pop art. It’s also a way for me to give them importance. If the theme of the disappearance of animal species is a recurring theme in my paintings, that of femininity and gender equality is just as much. A vegetarian for more than 10 years, I am very sensitive to the fate that we subject to these living beings, who for me, have a right to live with dignity and to whom I owe respect.
I rebel against the selfish pleasure of having a wild animal in your home like a toy. So, I try to use the means I have to make as many people as possible aware of these issues that are dear to me. Wanting to approach the subject without heaviness, the bright colors and the language of street and pop art seemed to me to be completely appropriate for my messages.
I create an interaction between my portrait and the chosen animal, thus highlighting our undeniable links. I also like to add a humorous note or wink via comic book style bubbles, graphic elements or collages. I adorn each of my portraits with a crown (borrowing from Basquiat to signify that my women are part of “royalty” and therefore part of society) as well as the animals that surround them. This element is like a signature. Almost all my works are painted on wooden panels, this smooth support offering me greater ease of execution for small details, collage and application of gold leaf.
How do you explore and maintain the integrity of your vision each time you begin a new painting? What are some of the most important factors in your creative process? Do you have any rituals?
For each of my works, I make a detailed sketch via Photoshop. I then have a direction to follow during the creative process, while having the attitude to play with my backgrounds and my colors. To maintain the direction, and integrity of my vision, I always ask myself the same question: ”What do I want to say and share in this painting in relation to the women and animals around it?”
My portraits are chosen with care and have determination and strength of character in both look and attitude. I start from this chosen portrait and then weave a world around it that will express my message. My recurring themes are love with a capital A, peace, respect for all living beings and equality of the sexes.
Do you have a favorite painting? What sets it apart from others?
Oh my… I have several! But I will say that two of them particularly appeal to me for their composition, their choice of portrait and their final creation. This is ”Message in a bottle” (2020) of which I really like the casual and imposing attitude of the woman in contrast with the abstract background as well as the message written all around her.
I am also particularly proud of the realistic rendering of this portrait and of what emerges from it. My second favorite ”Think out of the box” is from the same year of production. I really like the interaction between the woman and the cat, my favorite animal, her message of love and the composition of the painting. In these 2 portraits, I explored the abstract and it is this combination of abstract and realism that pleases me enormously.
Will share more about your workshop, in the heart of Vaudreuil-Dorion?
My 3-month bed-ridden convalescence brought me the certainty that I wanted not only to paint, but above all to settle down to do it. With the help of my boyfriend, we renovated part of the basement of our house and installed large windows to offer me the best creative environment. So, since 2012, I have been making my portraits in a workshop full of sources of inspiration displayed on the walls: photos, drawings, reproductions and magazines on my shelves including Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
To encourage me, my boyfriend offered a beautiful large easel that I have used since that time with on one side a rack on wheels with my paints and my brushes and on the other side a rack with my computer. All my material (papers of all kinds, clippings of magazines classified by theme, brushes, stencils, gold leaf, etc.) is stored in plastic bins on slides located below a large counter running along half of my workshop.
Under the stairs, leading to the basement, I store my finished paintings, my packing boxes and my stock of wooden panels of different sizes. I equipped myself with a lamp reproducing natural light so that in winter, I can paint for longer without lighting problems. Over time, my workshop became busier and busier. Things pile up: trinkets, cards, boxes, tubes, frames… but I like that! I feel in a universe that is my own with lots of elements that I appreciate and which stimulate me to create and surpass myself!
Reflecting on the year ahead, what are you daydreaming about that you hope comes to fruition? And what can we expect to see from you in the coming months?
I am preparing a solo exhibition, which should take place at the Beauchamp Gallery in Montreal in May 2024. A year and a half of work will be revealed! Another exhibition should be held during the year in Trois Rivières. My big dream is to one day have an exhibition in my hometown Paris and to be represented in a gallery in the United States (NY or Miami). So I will work very hard to make these two dreams come true!!!
About Agnès Robin
Born in 1963 in the Paris suburbs, artist Agnès Robin has lived in Quebec for more than 30 years, working in her home studio creating her favorite subjects: portraits !
A professional reconsideration will lead him to undertake a solo world tour, which will rekindle his passion for art. After a DEC in Presentation Design accompanied by 2 excellence scholarships and following various work experiences in decoration workshops, her need to create and independence pushed her to found her own company ”Artifiss’. Always interested in painting, her job will make her rediscover this passion. She began producing artistic acrylic paintings on a self-taught basis, while exploring various mediums (collages, felt-tip pens, pastels, etc.).
Artistic painting now takes an important place in his life and the artist participates in numerous group and solo exhibitions as well as certain symposia (Mtl en arts) and international Art Festivals (Seattle, Singapore). She is also represented by the Bloom Gallery, in Montreal, the Alpha Art Gallery in Ottawa, the L’esprit creative Gallery in Quebec and the Berthelet Gallery in Berthierville.
