Rob Forlani
Contemporary painter
“I’m in a sense…an improvisational artist, improvising a real life situation into Art."- “When asked where I sit in the
art world I would say that I have become known for bold application of colour and texture in my work. I attempt the use of symbolism to mark my marks on the canvas as a starting point, which for me is crucial. This then guides my brush strokes into abstract pieces. Every piece has a meaning as I try to precipitate events in the real world into more of a concrete circumstance, a kind of Abstract Realism if such a thing exists…This is my method.” - Rob Forlani
It’s Rob’s collective experiences brought to life by art mentor impressionist painter Daryl Jane, living in Italy for 3 months in his teens and the post impressionist and 'fauve' movements that influenced his artistic direction. It was then the serendipitous discovery of artists such as Kandinsky, Hofmann, Kline, Pollock and Frankenthaler that aroused Rob’s interest in Abstract Expressionism.
This then started a process of precipitating real life events and situations, spawning ideas which ultimately culminate in abstract paintings creating his first exhibition in 2000. In Mid 2005 Rob was selected to participate in New York’s Agora Gallery’s "Out From Down Under and Beyond: An Exhibition of Fine Art from Australia and New Zealand" with 11 other well-known Australian artists.
While traveling through some of the USA's most eclectic cities, such as New York, Boston, Washington DC and San Francisco, Rob was able add to his growing melting pot of influence and style. In 2006, Rob’s work was chosen for a solo exhibition, entitled “Essential Abstracts,” to open Zinc Details newest store, San Francisco’s globally renowned interior store. Shortly after San Francisco, Rob exhibited and attended his first European solo exhibition at the Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm.
Through a 6 month period through the European winter of 2008/09 Rob lived in Stockholm and held exhibits in Finland, England and Sweden enhancing a reputation for bold, striking large abstract work with a decidedly Australian flavour.
Rob has successfully displayed his work in Perth, Margaret River, Sydney, Melbourne, The Gold Coast, Adelaide, Stockholm, Auckland, London, Helsinki, Seoul, New York and San Francisco.
“I’m in a sense…an improvisational artist, improvising a real life situation into Art."- “When asked where I sit in the
art world I would say that I have become known for bold application of colour and texture in my work. I attempt the use of symbolism to mark my marks on the canvas as a starting point, which for me is crucial. This then guides my brush strokes into abstract pieces. Every piece has a meaning as I try to precipitate events in the real world into more of a concrete circumstance, a kind of Abstract Realism if such a thing exists…This is my method.” - Rob Forlani
It’s Rob’s collective experiences brought to life by art mentor impressionist painter Daryl Jane, living in Italy for 3 months in his teens and the post impressionist and 'fauve' movements that influenced his artistic direction. It was then the serendipitous discovery of artists such as Kandinsky, Hofmann, Kline, Pollock and Frankenthaler that aroused Rob’s interest in Abstract Expressionism.
This then started a process of precipitating real life events and situations, spawning ideas which ultimately culminate in abstract paintings creating his first exhibition in 2000. In Mid 2005 Rob was selected to participate in New York’s Agora Gallery’s "Out From Down Under and Beyond: An Exhibition of Fine Art from Australia and New Zealand" with 11 other well-known Australian artists.
While traveling through some of the USA's most eclectic cities, such as New York, Boston, Washington DC and San Francisco, Rob was able add to his growing melting pot of influence and style. In 2006, Rob’s work was chosen for a solo exhibition, entitled “Essential Abstracts,” to open Zinc Details newest store, San Francisco’s globally renowned interior store. Shortly after San Francisco, Rob exhibited and attended his first European solo exhibition at the Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm.
Through a 6 month period through the European winter of 2008/09 Rob lived in Stockholm and held exhibits in Finland, England and Sweden enhancing a reputation for bold, striking large abstract work with a decidedly Australian flavour.
Rob has successfully displayed his work in Perth, Margaret River, Sydney, Melbourne, The Gold Coast, Adelaide, Stockholm, Auckland, London, Helsinki, Seoul, New York and San Francisco.
Curriculum vitae
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2012 - “Esoterica” Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay, Sydney
2011 - ”Uprising” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2011 - ”Abstraktion” The Studio Gallery Yallingup, Western Australia
2010 - "19 Voices” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2009 - "Undercurrent” Linton & Kay Contemporary, Subiaco, Western Australia
2009 - “Australien” Minsyster och jag, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 - “New Works” Tempo Art, Armadale, Melbourne, Australia
2008 - “Modern Parallels” LK Galleries, Subiaco, Western Australia
2007 - “Tiger Lounge” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Ocean Marina, Western Australia
2007 - “Compressed Tangents” Gallery 101, Western Australia Club, Perth
2006 - “Ambienza” Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm, Sweden
2006 - “New Works” Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
2006 - “Quintessence” Tristan’s the Gallery, Northbridge, Western Australia
2005 - “Essential Abstracts” Zinc Details Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2005 - “Symbolista” Jahroc Gallery, Margaret River, Western Australia
2004 - “New Mood” Kings Art Gallery, Perth, Western Australia
2003 - “New Works” Gadfly Gallery, Dalkeith, Western Australia
Selected Joint/Group Exhibitions
2012 - Group Exhibition! -”Christmas Exhibition” The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2011 - Group Exhibition! -”August ’11 Exhibition” Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2010 - Group Exhibition! -Cossack Art Awards Broome, Western Australia
2010 - Joint Exhibition! -”Soul” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah, Western Australia
2010 - Group Exhibition! -“March 2010 Exhibition’’ Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2009 - Group Exhibition! -“Art Sydney ’09”, The Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
2009 - Group Exhibition! -“August ’09 Exhibition” Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2009 - Group Exhibition! -“Hilton Adelaide Selection”, Greenhill Galleries, South Australia
2009 - Group Exhibition! -Hopeinen Sivellin Galleria Helsinki, Finland
2008 - Group Exhibition! -“Art in Mind”, The Bricklane Gallery, London
2008 - Group Exhibition! -“Tiramisu”, Fad Gallery Melbourne, Australia
2008 - Group Exhibition! -“Abstract Elements” Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe, WA
2007 - Group Exhibition! -Con.ceit' 07 Corangamarah Art Prize, Victoria, (by Invitation)
2006 - Group Exhibition! -“Little Tempters” Artworks Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland
2006 - Group Exhibition! -Greenhill Galleries Adelaide, South Australia
2006 - Group Exhibition! -“Inspired Collective” ARQ Artworks, Osborne Park, WA
2006 - Joint Exhibition! -“Lush” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Ocean Marina, WA
2005 - Joint Exhibition! -Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
2005 - Group Exhibition! -Agora Gallery SoHo, New York, USA
2004 - Group Exhibition! -“Mt Lawley the Journey.” Gallery 360 Mt. Lawley
2000 - Joint Exhibition! -Accent Gallery Dalkeith, Western Australia
Commissions
- Muse Ten, San Francisco, USA
- Perth Oncology, Subiaco, Western Australia
- Cliffs Asia-Pacific, Perth
- Skanska Construction, Sweden
- Geisha Bar, Northbridge, Perth
- Statton on Murray Apartments, Perth
- Coca-Cola, Perth
- Crisp Civitella Smith Lawyers, Perth
- ANZ Bank Head Office, Perth
- Shearman’s Strategic Communication, Northbridge, Perth
- Loretta Carbray Interior Decorator, Hobart
- Kings Perth Hotel, Perth
- City OF Stirling Municipal Offices, Western Australia
- Peter Fletcher Realty, Victoria Park,Western Australia
- Azure Capital Lawyers, Perth
- Clue Design web design & development, South Perth
- Starlight Publicity, Perth
- Pineview Lifestyle Village, Tapping, Western Australia
- Heart Foundation, Western Australia
- Scoop Magazine, Western Australia
- Lauriston Girls School, Melbourne
- Joondalup Health Campus, Western Australia
- Summit Homes, Western Australia
- NSC Corporate Consultants, Perth
- Burrup Fertilizers Pty Ltd, Western Australia
- MI Constructions, Western Australia
- Odin Road Chiropractic Centre Western Australia
- Glen O’Brien Real Estate, Fremantle, Western Australia
- Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Western Australia
- Surround Sounds, Nedlands, Western Australia
- Whale + Ale Pub, Western Australia
- Murchison Metals, West Perth
- Mirvac Group, Perth
- Don Russell Homes
- Whirlpool (West Australia) Pty Ltd
- CKA Risk Solutions Pty Ltd
Media
- Access Channel 31 “Eye On Perth”, July, 2002
- Xpress Magazine, “Eye For Arts”, April, 2002
- Postcards W.A., July, 2004
- The Sunday Times “STM”, Aug, 2004
- The Sunday Times Home Section, Oct, 2004
- Scoop Magazine, Sept, 2004
- Insite Magazine, Nov, 2004
- Australian House & Garden, Nov, 2004
- P+L Magazine, Mar, 2005
- Zebra Magazine, Jan, 2005
- Homes & Living Western Australia, Jan, 2005
- 7 Network “My Restaurant Rules”, Mar, 2005
- ArtisSpectrum Magazine, USA, May, 2005
- Qantas In Flight Magazine, May, 2005
- The West Australian Newspaper “Today”, July, 2005
- The Sunday Times, “Prestige Property”, Oct, 2005
- Instyle Custom Homes Magazine, Oct, 2005
- Insite Homes Design & Art Magazine, Dec, 2005
- The Sunday Times “STM”, Celebri-Art”, Jan, 2006
- The Sunday Times, “Prestige Property”, Feb, 2006
- X-Press Magazine, Celebri-Art, April, 2006
- Radio Mix 94.5 FM Morning Crew, Mar, 2006
- The Sunday Times STM magazine “Mainy Hits The Canvas”, May, 2006
- The Sunday Times STM magazine “Deckchair Auction”, June, 2006
- Artist Chronicle WA, July, 2006
- Western Suburbs Weekly “Work Of Art”, Aug, 2006
- Stockholm City Newspaper “Ambienza”, Aug, 2006
- Kultur 1 magazine, Stockholm ! Aug, 2006
- WA Homes & Living Magazine “Art Edition” Spring 2006, Sept, 2006
- The West Australian Newspaper “ART” by Debbie Guest, Sept, 2006
- Radio 6PR Di Bauwens “Out And About In Perth”, Sept, 2006
- X-Press Magazine “Eye 4 Arts”, Oct, 2006
- The Sunday Times, Home Magazine “Smart Home”, Jan, 2007
- Scoop Magazine, June, 2007
- Radio RTR FM 92.1 Morning Magazine, The Arts, Aug, 2007
- Southern Gazette Arts & Lifestyle “Brighter future for WA Art, Oct, 2007
- Australian Art Collector, Nov, 2007
- Box Magazine Australia, 18 Autumn Edition, March, 2008
- INSITE 22 spring edition “Let there be light.”, Sept, 2009
- Australian Art Collector Special 50th Edition, Oct-Dec, 2009
- Art Gallery Guide Australia, Nov, 2009
- Scoop Art and Homes Spring Edition Sept, 2011
Education
- Perth College of Further Education for the Arts
Associations
- Member “The Artists Foundation of Western Australia”
- Member Artists In Arms Western Australia
- Member Artist Universal, Helsinki, Finland
- Saatchi Gallery, London
- Lecturer, Claremont School of Art, Western Australia
- Lecturer, Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, Western Australia
Awards
- Art Flight-Department of Culture & the Arts W.A.
- Agora Gallery New York Exhibiton 2005
