The Riverside Arts Center’s FlexSpace is pleased to present Expedition Spectrum, Renee Robbins’ solo exhibition of paintings on paper, curated by Joanne Aono. Please join us on Sunday, October 5th at 3pm for a casual talk with the artist and the curator. Free and open to the public.
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Renee Robbins' Expedition Spectrum paintings evoke film stills depicting a magical journey to another planet. There, we encounter underwater scenes of plantlike creatures, their tentacles flowing with the current. Using a soft spray of aerosol paint, Robbins allows us to swim through the washes of aquamarine and purple as we bump up against the hard edges of colorful acrylic brush strokes. In this world, the land is comprised of vibrant flora and fauna glowing in iridescent greens, pinks, and oranges, contrasted by an endless sky of thinly layered single-toned blues and violets.
As we wander the mysterious depths of each painting, the flat patterns and transparent colors pull us in, challenging our perception of scale. Are we viewing a cavernous space like a camera's wide shot, an extreme close up, or are we exploring beyond our vision's capabilities? Night Watching provides a sense of looking out into the darkness of the universe, while the cell-like forms in Lunaria shift one's focus to a more intimate viewpoint.
Robbins' vocabulary has included plants, particles, celestial bodies, and pattern, in paintings ranging from small canvases to building-sized murals. With the latter, she discovered the effects that aerosol paints provide - from light sprays to stencils of bold color. Incorporating this medium with precise brushwork, she creates joyous settings, reminiscent of classic movie animation. Each painting sets the scene to delight our imaginations through the use of a bright color palette, flowing line, and fanciful imagery.
–Joanne Aono, curator
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I reimagine subjects in the natural world ranging from subatomic to telescopic. Expedition Spectrum gives the viewer a visual opportunity to meditate on color; to connect their thoughts toward inner awareness and close observation of nature minutiae. The paintings journey into unknown spaces inspired by bird songs, forest canopies, and seafoam, much like an expedition. With these prompts from nature, the works focus on depicting simple pleasures and silver linings. Viewing the paintings invites a chance to slow down and explore our surroundings. With this introspection comes resilience, no matter where we are. The painting process is the culmination of a personal quest to find joy in color and to radiate warmth and optimism. The works act like fantastical prisms of nature, reflecting the shifting magic of color, from red through purple, one color at a time. Expedition Spectrum renews the spirit with color and points the mindset towards hope. My paintings reflect the diverse world and the power of nature by creating awe and a sense of wonder.
-Renee Robbins
https://www.riversideartscenter.com/flexspace/2025/09/renee/robbins
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