DAAP Professor Emil Robinson’s artwork featured at London’s Daniel Katz Gallery
Robinson’s exhibition ‘Interiors’ showcases his unique eye for space and light
Emil Robinson. Photo by Grace Diederich.
Professor Emil Robinson’s collection ‘Interiors’ was featured at the Daniel Katz Gallery, an exciting opportunity to display his ability to uncover the beauty and individuality of everyday spaces. This exhibition highlights ordinary spaces from doorways to hallways; he finds a connection to places people often overlook.
Robinson shares that his inspiration came from the usual spaces that surround him everyday. “I think that the extraordinary experience is not about the destination, I don’t need to go to Hawaii to make a beautiful painting, I can just look in the room next door,” says Robinson. The painting process can take years to capture the essence of the space. By spending long periods of time in these spaces, he develops a deep and personal bond with them.
The title of his exhibition, ‘Interiors,’ refers to both the physical spaces he paints and the psychological experiences he conveys into a visual form. “It’s an interior experience that’s been made exterior,” says Robinson. He hopes to eventually publish this collection into a book, creating a permanent record of his work.
Art has always been a prominent part of his life. Both of his parents are artists, his sister is a set designer, his grandfather was an artist and designer, his great-grandfather was a distinguished New York architect, and another great-grandfather was a stained-glass artist. Though he tried to pursue other paths, he found himself being drawn to the world of art.
Saint Monica Saint George and Rachel Street Morning. Photos by Emil Robinson.
Along with being an accomplished artist, Robinson is a professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), teaching for both the School of Art and School of Design. He shares that his students inspire him because they all bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds to the classroom. He finds it amazing how students from all different places can come together to explore fundamental concepts like color, shapes, and drawing.
Robinson hopes to give students a sense of imagination and possibility about the world; he finds this to be the most important skill for students. He helps them discover depth in simple design concepts, just like his paintings. He encourages students to express themselves in their creative work and make it authentic.
Emil Robinson painting in his studio. Photo provided by Emil Robinson.
He teaches aspiring artists to build a supportive community and consistently challenge themselves by taking on projects outside their comfort zone. “Surround yourself with people who take you seriously and respect you,” says Robinson. The most beautiful things in life come naturally and are not forced, a philosophy he has followed in his career. Robinson has made authentic connections with everything in life, from the physical spaces in his paintings to his audiences and students.
Whether he is working with first-year DAAP students or spending hours painting a hallway, Robinson stands firm in his belief that every space holds an extraordinary aspect. “I’m trying to float free and really see the world around me, not through the lens of productivity, but as a place where people live, interact, and love,” says Robinson.
Featured image provided by Emil Robinson.
Written by Maya Little
Third-year journalism major, DAAP student associate
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