William Robinson: Insights: 15 June 2012 - 16 June 2013

This exhibition shows us that Robinson is at home with any medium: oils, watercolours, pastels, lithography, lead pencils or ceramics; and any subject: a chook, a vertiginous mountain ridge, or, in this case, himself sitting on his verandah. This self portrait is wonderfully accurate. The Panama hat is essential for Bill in the harsh Queensland sun—there are hats everywhere in the house, to remind him never to leave the house without one—but the yellow flower jauntily claims centrestage. Everything is tangibly real. You can imaginatively lay your hand on each item in the picture, feel its texture and its weight. He allows the light to articulate the self portrait, the curve of his bald head, and the three splashes of light giving volume to the torso. It is reassuring to see that dramaand profundity are not confined to sublime river valleys and mountain cliffs; it’s also here on the verandah of his inner-city Brisbane home.

Betty Churcher