ARTIST BIO

Profile

Three decades as a professional signwriter have given Robert Knight a thorough grounding in composition, draughtsmanship and paint application. For thirty years, inside the artisan beat the heart of the artist. At first the challenge of the more creative signwriting tasks provided the outlet for Knight’s creative talents and as time went by Robert had some tutoring through his local community arts centre and eventually was mentored by well known artist Terry Collins who recognised his great natural talent.

Today Robert Knight paints full time with a breathtaking assuredness across a range of styles and subjects. He is as at ease with portraiture as he is the Australian landscape and his trademark composite abstracts of the Australian Eucalypt forest. Robert’s outstanding artistic ability was recognised in 2004 when he was judged the winner of the 2004 Australian Art Excellence Medallion, the coveted award of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists.

Although Robert loves to paint the Australian bush in both traditional and non-traditional styles- the city is becoming increasingly important to him as a subject for paintings.

He continues to strive for the highest standard possible. He is a sought after demonstrator of his unique style and has won several major awards. His work is held in corporate and private collections in Australia and overseas.

Robert has been awarded many prizes and commendations in art competitions in Victoria.

Statement

My style varies from realist contemporary to design orientated. My technique is a combination of heavy and light layers of paint. The thin layers of paint are applied first then the heavy paint is applied with brushwork and a palette knife. Heavy impasto is used for the finishing touches. The materials I use are oil paints with liquin on linen or a gessoed board. I usually have a highly detailed area where the focal point is. The secondary areas are treated broadly, almost abstracted. The composition is vital to a successful work.

To capture the essence of the subject is a delightful challenge.

Solo Exhibitions

• 2007 Paintbox Fine Art, Canberra, ACT, Australia
• 2007 McGee’s Gallery, Mornington, Victoria, Australia
• 2006 Paintbox Fine Art, Canberra, ACT, Australia
• 2005 Paintbox Fine Art, Canberra, ACT, Australia
• 2005 Medallion Exhibition, AGRA Galleries, Camberwell, Victoria, Australia

Group Exhibitions

    2010 Without Pier ,Hampton ,Victoria ,Australia

.   2010 Without Pier , Our Melbourne exh. Vic.Arts

• 2009 Without Pier, Easter exhibition,Mansfield,Victoria,Australia
• 2009 Without Pier ,Cheltenham,Victoria,Australia
• 2009 Artists Realm, Modern,Gisbourne,Victoria,Australia
• 2008WatsonFineArtGallery,Hawthorn,Victoria,Australia
• 2008WatsonFineArtGallery,Hawthorn,Victoria,Australia
• 2007 Maling RoadGallery,Canterbury,Victoria,Australia
• 2005 Steps Gallery,Carlton,Victoria,Australia
• 2005 AGRA Galleries,Camberwell,Victoria,Australia
• 2004 Made from Australia Gallery, Deakin, ACT,Australia
• 1998 Artist Proof Gallery,Windsor,Victoria,Australia
• 1998 ImageArtGallery, Bayswater, Victoria, Australia
  
  

Collections

• Private and corporate collections inAustraliaand overseas.

Publications

• 2005 Featured artist in Australian Artist Magazine

Achievements

• 2009 Highly Commended, Rotary club of Yea,Victoria
• 2009 Best in show Bayside Art Show ,BrightonVictoria
• 2009FinalistMt.Buller Art Prize,Victoria
• 2009 Best Modern Painting, St. Kevin’s,Victoria
• 2008 Fellow of A.G.R.A.
• 2008 Highly Commended,Mt.ViewArt Show,Victoria
• 2008 Best Painting Under $1000, Bayside Art Show Brighton,Victoria
• 2007 Southcoast Sand & Civil,VictorHarbourRotary, SA,Australia
• 2007 Best Painting (any medium under $3000), Mt Waverley Art Show,Victoria ,Australia
• 2007 Highly Commended,SherbrookeArt Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2006 Highly Commended, St Kevin’s Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2004 Winner, Australian Art Excellence Award,AGRA,Camberwell,Victoria,Australia
• 2004 Artist of the Year, Ringwood ArtSociety,Victoria,Australia
• 2004 1^st  Prize,Mont De Lancy Art Show,Wandin,Victoria,Australia
• 2004 Highly Commended, Yea Rotary, Victoria, Australia
  • 2004 Highly Commended (Watercolour),MountView Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2003 Winner,AGRA Winter Exhibition,Camberwell,Victoria,Australia
• 2003 Best in Show(under $1200),Mont De Lancy Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2002 Highly Commended (Oil),MountViewArt Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2002 Highly Commended (Charcoal),MountViewArt Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2002 2^nd Prize (Masters) – Drawing, Lilydale AnnualShow,Victoria,Australia
• 2002 2^nd Prize (Masters) – Watercolour, Lilydale AnnualShow,Victoria,Australia
• 2002 1^stOpen, Roberts McCubbin ArtShow,Victoria,Australia
• 2001 Best Painting (Oil under $500), Box Hill Rotary,Victoria,Australia
• 2001 1^st Prize (Oil),Mont De Lancy Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 2000 1^st Prize (Acrylic), Dandenong ArtShow,Victoria,Australia
• 2000 1^st Prize (Oil), Mount View Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1999 Very Highly Commended (Oil), Croydon Primary Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1999 Best Theme (Oil), Lilydale Annual ArtShow,Victoria,Australia
• 1999 2^nd Prize (Oil), Long Acres (Arthur Streeton) ArtShow,Victoria,Australia
• 1999 Distinction Award, Ringwood ArtSociety,Victoria,Australia
• 1998 Highly Commended (Acrylic), Alexandra Rotary Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1998 Highly Commended (Oil),MontDe Lancy Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1998 1^st Prize (Oil), Mount View Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1988 Highly Commended (Oil), Mooroolbark ArtShow,Victoria,Australia
• 1988 Best Miniature Pair (Oil), Mount View Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1988 Highly Commended (Watercolour),MountViewArt Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1987 2^nd Prize (Oil), Lilydale Annual show,Victoria,Australia
• 1987 Highly commended (Oil), Mount View Art Show,Victoria,Australia
• 1987 Highly Commended (Oil), Melba Art Show, Victoria, Australia