Same Artist, Different Medium
Last Thursday, Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson made an appearance at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in SoHo.
Except this time, it was for his paintings instead of his music.
The cozy second-story venue opened its doors to a select few of Robinson’s friends and family, colleagues, and press. The artist himself was also in attendance, smiling and chatting with friends as attendees sipped rum and coke and wandered the gallery to admire his work.
Robinson and the Black Crowes rose to fame in 1989, penning songs like the emblematic 90s hit “She Talks to Angels” and touring with bands like Aerosmith and ZZ Top. In the early 2000s, the band began a hiatus, calling it quits for good in late 2015.
Since then, Robinson has embarked on a solo career and revealed a unique new creative talent as a visual artist. The Morrison Hotel Gallery’s exhibition was the first time his paintings were publicly revealed.
Save for one piece, the entire collection was oil on board, allowing Robinson to build up layers of paint to create strong textures. Each board was similar in size, drawing the gaze of the viewer straight to the content of the piece.
Robinson utilized vibrant colors with finite focal points descending into abstract shapes. His awareness of movement and balance showed through in each piece, with paint traipsing across the board and dancing into nearly sonic waves.
In several of the pieces, Robinson went back over a fluid shape with a dark outline, like the artist had an outburst of creativity that was carefully recounted and placed back within bounds.
Robinson’s work showcased considerable skill– a reminder that true creative awareness transcends the boundaries of a particular medium.
-Hilary Ribons
Photo Credit: Hilary Ribons