Not IT problems Riding my mountain bike in the woods. Very interested in the rise in sea levels.
Architecture and design which stimulates rather than alienates.
The slide show below shows one of my current projects, a large mosaic for a communal green space amongst terraced houses near Stoke on Trent. This project is commissioned by Groundwork Stoke on Trent and funded by Midland Heart.
'The Great Outdoors' The slide show below,
A communal garden project in the St. Radigans area of Dover. Full hands on from residents making positive improvements to their neighbourhood.
Music
Folk music at the moment,
but have always liked Zep, Tull and Floyd.
Slide show shows coloured wool wrapped around sticks, placed in the landscape around where I live.
Movies
Mon Uncle with Jaques Tati The Green Mile The Out of Towners.
Here is a slide showing a visual diary for the completion of 'The Ridgeway Map' mosaic which was installed in March. Commissioned by the Vale of the White Horse District Counciland Persimmons Homes.
Television
Dont do much tele but Columbo, Monk, Harry Hill's tv burp is good and the jim'll fixit bit when the cub scouts try to eat their packed lunches on a roller coaster.
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Below is a slide show of cars I have found and drawn on!
Books
Best book: Black Elk Speaks Next best The Iliad Out of our Minds by Ken Robinson The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by R Persig
Then large oversize books from the non fiction section with lots of pictures in.
This slide show shows a town map commissioned by Wyre Forest District Council it is a floor mosaic designed to highlight the canal basins in Stourport on Severn, which have recently been landscaped and turned into a public park. Something visitors to the town often miss, only seeing the shops.
Heroes
Lucien van Impe,
Hundertwasser,
Dennis Berkamp, Gaudi,
Malcolm Morley, Muhamed Ali, Alfred the Great and
Geronimo.
My photos below show the changing seasons .
Below is the design for a garden in a secondary school. The water pump needed for the water feature will be generated by renewables. This was the object of the project and was developed with the science dept.
The slide show shows the development of the whole project.
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Below is the Eco Super Loos project on the Isle of Wight.I have worked with photographer Sarah Daniels we are appointed as consultants and form the design team with architects Biggstalbot. There a further 6 buildings to follow all with eco related features prioritised where possible.
Erith School
Erith, United Kingdom
Graduated: 1984
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: fine art (painting)
Clubs: St. Martins School of Art 1980-84
clients include: Creative Partnerships, Groundworks, Network Rail,, Learning Through Landscapes UK Persimmons Homes, Tesco, Greening for Growth, Evolving Cities, Fusion, Irwell Valley Housing Ass. Artworks Wales
About me: These are some of the art projects I have worked on over recent times.
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Professional highlights
In my public art career I have delivered about 100 art projects, large and small, all over the U.K. I am currently working with a firm of architects on the Isle of Wight to design a flagship programme of nine public toilets, building the ‘Greenest Loos in the Nation’ I have had several artist-in-residence positions, most significantly a four year residency with Greenwich Healthcare Trust. I was an artist with the Leicester City Challenge regeneration scheme which won the Local Government News Urban Landscape Award. I have also worked as an expert mosaic consultant, for example on a large scale restoration project at the HQ of HSBC bank in London W1.
How I got here
I took a degree in fine art at St Martin’s College of Art in 1984. I went on to exhibit in a number of high profile galleries before joining forces in 1990 with another artist, Gary Drostle to establish Wallscapes, a successful public arts partnership which employed two other full time artists and a number of part time artists as well. ‘Wallscapes’ continued until 2000 when the two founding artists began to explore different collaborations and artistic pathways. I have continued to develop my practice carrying out strategic public art, focusing on environmental and regeneration projects. These have often been driven by community generated change. I am now able draw on a great deal of experience when working with communities in different mediums, which enables me to explore my own creativity and engage directly with the changing relationships between art and society.
Passion for public spaces
My main interest is the integration of art into the built environment – and in using high level community involvement techniques which harness the artistic process to raise individual aspirations and build stronger communities. I have worked on many collaborative projects which have focused on working with architect and design professionals as well as poets, writers, textile designers, gardeners and other visual artists. I really enjoy working in teams and through this working approach I have had the opportunity to realise a wide variety of large scale and complex public realm projects. I have worked with recycled and reclaimed materials to construct viable paving systems - using mosaic techniques but developing the mosaic medium well beyond its classical boundaries.
A few progres photos of my newest mosaic. A 4.5m dia. mosaic ring depecting the history of a town called Witney, famous for weaving.
Below is the mosaic I have just installed. Commissioned by Groundwork and funded by Midland Heart.
Below: 'The Ridgeway Map Mosaic'. A celebration of the countrside and heritage around Wantage.
A tree one of 4 circles going into paved areas in Newcastle.
This is to say thanks for many things. Thanks for all my lovely birthday wishes, thanks for all the well wishers who contacted me following my cycling accident (pretty much all healed now thank goodness) and just thanks for being out there Love and llight to all XX
Weyeeeooo Rob, wishing U an easy monday morning;) ..love what U are doing!!
we..ve got a nice little group called " The Earth loving artists"..
-Artist materials are not often environmentally friendly and it takes extra effort to look for materials, techniques and methods to do the right thing.
How to balance the love for beauty, the arts, and the environment? Whether you are a painter, sculptor, photographer, jeweller or craftsperson, come share your knowledge!-
If you have walked in the heart of the Green wood and have bathed in the light of its living force remember what you have felt; and whenever you pass a tree whether it stands alone in a wilderness of human making or in the depth of woodland, give a moment of your time to listen to its voice.
For in many parts of the land the trees are dying only the hearts that know something of the true wisdom can save them. (Anon)
Hello Rob, your art looks fabulous now get on with that Green Man!! Nice to meet you.
Si usted ha paseado por el centro del bosque verde y se ha bañado en la luz de su fuerza viva recuerde lo que usted ha sentido; y siempre que usted pase al lado de un árbol si está parado solamente en un yermo de fabricación humana o en la profundidad del bosque, dé un momento de su tiempo para escuchar su voz.
Porque en muchas partes de la tierra los árboles se están muriendo solamente los corazones que tengan algo de la sabiduría verdadera pueden salvarlos. (Anón)
I love art that connects me to the artist - that provides insight and has more than one superficial layer of significance. I like art that tells a story or represents something significant.
I agree there is much art that is stagnant and lifeless, but I am ever amazed at the innovative artistic expression of people as I make my way through the arts world. On a regular basis I run across artwork that leaves me breathless and moves me deeply.
You have a style that resonates with me. Consider me a new fan.
Wow. Your work is awesome! I love it! I knew I would have to learn more about you from the moment I saw your profile pic in my pending friend list - an artistic spirit with a perfect mix of visual aesthetics, creativity, intelligence and writing style. I've enjoyed my stroll through your profile and I'm happy to have you as a new myspace friend!
The fall/winter art season is in full swing, and the spring art and powwow season is right around the corner already! I can't believe it!
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Thank you for the friend invite. Be well, -- Paul Kabotie Native Art Travel - Art Shows, Powwows, Vacations, Road Trips!
