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