Studio
Robert McKenzie
Born in Northern Ireland Robert studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Camberwell College of Art. He has worked in advertising for the last 34 years most recently as a Creative Director for theatrical productions.
Robert is drawn to the minutiae of nature, collecting objects that catch his eye, seeing beauty in the smallest thing, an exquisite feather or a pebble, the pages of an old book or a long lost key.
Collected treasures are observed honestly, always actual size, in a highly realistic way, capturing their form, colour, texture and patina. This is designed to make the viewer look again at these objects, allowing them to see the detail and highlight their overlooked beauty.
Robert carefully composes these finds to give them new significance and unexpected relationships. The focus is on natural elements and simplicity of composition to help us realign with nature on a subconscious level. The viewer is free to appreciate the beauty of the objects in an intimate way, allowing them to weave their own personal narrative into the composition.
Watercolour is the perfect medium to capture these moments. Robert paints in a forensic way, building up layers of washes, slowly adding detail to create the illusion that the objects could be lifted from the page.
Exhibitions:
Gallery at Home
Summer Exhibition 2025
Wales
21st June - 1st August 2025
Royal West of England Academy
171st Open Exhibition 2024
Bristol
14 September 2024 - 5 January 2025 and online
Beneath the Canopy - Seed
Seed, 3 Catherine Hill, Frome, Somerset
5 July - 5 August 2024
Royal Watercolour Society Open 2024
Bankside Gallery, London
8 - 24 September 2024 and online
Royal West of England Academy
170th Open Exhibition 2023
Bristol
9 September 2023 - 14 January 2024 and online
Ace Arts Open Exhibition 2023
Ace Arts, Somerton
14 October - 11 November 2023
Wells Art Contemporary 2023
Wells Cathedral
5 August - 2 September and online
Uncharted
Ace Arts, Somerton
29 July - 12 August
Sanctuary - SAW Members group Exhibition 2022
28 July - 30 October RUH Bath
& 1 - 26 November Ilminster Arts Centre
Somerset Open Studios 2021
18 September - 3 October
Wells Art Contemporary 2021
Wells Cathedral
28 August - 26 September and online
Springing Forward Exhibition 2021
Virtual Exhibition
The Gallery at Green and Stone Summer Exhibition 2020
251 – 253 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HY
5 - 26 August 2020
Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition - Plantae 2020
3 - 30 June 2020 Online exhibition.
Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 2019
Mall Galleries, London, 17 - 22 September 2019
Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition - Plantae 2019
5 to 9 June 2019 Mall Galleries, London
Dulwich Festival Artists' Open House 11-12 & 18-19 May 2018
Guildford Arts Summer Exhibition
4 - 19 July 2018, Yvonne Arnauld Theatre Mill Studio
Dulwich Festival Artists' Open House 12-20 May 2018
Royal Watercolour Society - Contemporary Watercolour Competition 2018
2 - 14 March 2018, Bankside Gallery
Romeo Jones, 80 Dulwich Village
30 November 2017 - 1 February 2018
Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 2017
Mall Galleries, London, 19 - 24 September 2017
Camberwell Arts Festival - Mono Cafe 10-24 June 2017
Dulwich Festival Artists' Open House 13-21 May 2017