A solo exhibition of abstract painter Robert Standish’s latest paintings – “Robert Standish: New Works on Canvas” will open Saturday, November 18 at Martin Lawrence Galleries’ location in Costa Mesa, CA. The new pieces are from Standish’s ongoing “Rhythmic” series. An opening reception is scheduled for 6-8PM, the artist will be in attendance.
His work has been called “transcendent expressionism.” Standish says his work is indeed about transcendence – he is drawn to the light, and always aspires to bring the energy up as he creates original artworks. In these highly polarized times, he offers viewers a way to be transported to an authentic place of positivity, a higher plane of experience. Using both brushes and palette knives, he applies thick swaths of paint – mark-making that is as gestural as it is textural. Through these distinctive paintings – each an ecosystem of its own – he explores and affirms the uplifting emotive effects of bright color, bold gesture, and visceral surface terrain.
Formerly a photorealist painter, Standish became inspired by the spontaneity of Abstract Expressionism, the transcendence of Abstract Spiritualism, and the nuances and power of Color Field painting. He followed the urge to go for something looser in his work, and has focused on abstraction ever since, saying, “Fourteen years ago, a feeling overwhelmed me to paint differently from the ego driven and deliberate style of my photorealism paintings. My abstract paintings are motivated by and focused on energetically uplifting, spontaneous, and transcendent compositions, featuring random rhythmic color bursts, abundant paint, and most importantly, a request for divine guidance.”
Regarding his overall practice, as he continually quests for greater connection to the cosmos, Standish says, “I’m in awe of the creative force all around us. I can’t think of anything that’s so strikingly omnipresent. Painting for me is the opportunity to deeply enjoy and directly connect with that force and hopefully inspire others of the rewards of connecting to its power and beauty.”
Pictured: “Bloom,” 30” diameter, acrylic on canvas, 2023
