Morris, Robin

How many Jewish artists start their careers with one particular style and never touch on their Jewish roots?Chances are, probably most of them. Some of the most famousJewish artists of our time such as Marc Chagall, never really left his Jewish roots at all, as many of his signature works were bible related. But theres a popularJewish South Florida artist named Robin Morris who started her art career back in 1982 in one direction and then made a turn back to her spiritual Jewish roots.Back in 1982, Robin published her first limited edition lithograph titled The Couple? which was a very stylized ArtDeco couple standing in front of a palm tree. Robin went onto create over 50 different graphic editions during the1980s, all in this similar style that eventually became known as New Deco?. During the early 80s, she was only producing two editions per year, but as her popularity grew, she was able to publish four and even five editions per year. Her original paintings were selling out from galleries from New York to Los Angeles, but no market was hotter than in South Florida where South Beach was being reborn and ArtDeco was once again king.Robin took some time off from her career in the early 90s to have three children, Michael and Andrew her twin boys andRachel, her daughter. By this time, the art market had cooled down and Art Deco was waning in popularity. Robin and her family were attending the Shul in Bal Harbor where Rabbi Shalom Lipsker is the spiritual leader. Robin began studying Torah with the rabbi and as it turns out,Rabbi Lipsker had a profound impact on her life. Always supportive and completely understanding of the G-D given gift that Robin possessed, Rabbi Lipsker never let Robin forget her obligations to her family, her career and most importantly, to herself. Robin turned inward and dug deep into her soul looking for the inspiration she needed to get back to the drawing board. What emerged from this turmoil was one of the most powerful works she has ever created. The painting is called Kiddush LVanah? and features an orthodox rabbi dancing with a torah with a full moon over head. The rabbi of course has Robins trademark one eye.Robin quickly followed the painting with a series of prints, which were met with instant success.Robin followed up with The Ten Commandments?, a very powerful image of Moses holding the tablets. Again, Robin made prints. It was right after this painting that Robin was chosen as one of Israel BondsWomen of Valor?. Not only was she awarded this wonderful acclaim with several other outstanding recipients, she also created an image for the program cover that also became a print.A painting of Noahs Ark? that Robin had created earlier in her career was taken out of the archive and made into prints.A new work called The Tree of Knowledge? followed soon after, featuring Eve in the Garden of Eden. A Purim piece titled Mordecai and Esther? came a short time later.In October of 2003, Robin went back to New York for a show at Central Galleries? in Cedarhurst, one of her oldest and dearest galleries. For this momentous return, she produced a painting featuring Shabbat Candle Lighting?. Its kind of ironic, but Robins collectors started coming out of the woodwork searching out these new Judaic images.Many of her older collectors never even knew that Robin wasJewish. After all, they had only known her for her NewDeco? works.Robins upbringing in Yonkers, New York was typical of many of the baby boomers that grew up during the 1950s and 60s.Her parents belonged to an orthodox synagogue, although they practiced more of a conservative lifestyle. Robin enjoyed her Hebrew School education and even spent a few summers upstate at an orthodox summer camp. Both sets of grandparents were strictly orthodox, and both of her great-grandfathers were rabbis. One in fact was a scribe, and Robin always felt that she had inherited part of his gift.Robins works are primarily based on her New Deco? style, but not far from the surface, and never far away, are her Jewish roots that will inevitably blossom into another beautiful painting. In the blink of an eye, Robin Morris reappears, with twin sons, a daughter and a paintbrush bristling with the passion of her “ongoing cast of characters.”It is in these characters that the artist’s emotions are revealed, hidden beneath layers of color pattern. They areRobin’s observations of life – stylized, playful and yet challenging to the viewer. “It is this contradiction I enjoy most about my work; Reality and imagination, juxtaposed, with a touch of humor.”Stepping into the public eye in 1982 with the publication ofher first lithograph, The Couple, the fifty editions that followed firmly established her in the artistic community and enhanced her broad-based commercial appeal.From canvas to ceramics to bronze to tapestries to paper goods, her highly sophisticated images have appeared on everything from Radio City Music Hall program covers to Bloomingdale’s bath sheets. Posters, note cards and shopping bags are just a few of the commercial applications that have achieved widespread recognition and captivated the public’s interest in her art.This fascination with Robin Morris’ creations can be noted with sold out shows worldwide, and the inclusion of her internationally acclaimed work in the permanent collections of several museums. She continues to evolve, constantly examining new frontiers for her artwork

Central Galleries has held multiple exclusive exhibitions for Robin Morris’ art with the artist present at the opening reception.

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