Robert went to Portsmouth College of Art and then studied at Chelsea School of Art in the 1980’s. He received an MA in Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking from the University of West of England (2003). He lives and works in Devon and is a Lecturer at Plymouth College of Art on the BA (Hons) Painting Drawing & Printmaking programme.
He currently has a studio practice based in Devon where he continues to explore his long held interest in materials. Over the past 15 years, this line of research has led him to produce multiple series’ of work (sometimes made over years) that explore the idea of what a painting is and, therefore, the question of how to make a painting.
Robert Manners
No. XV
acrylic on waterford saunders paper 640 gsm
90 cm x 102 cm
Price Available Upon Request
© Robert Manners
“I find the physical permanence and presence of materials fascinating; their solidarity, their colour, their potential; what they are supposed to be used for and what they can be used for is endlessly fascinating to me. Life is like a game of collage. I’m always trying to find an equivalent to these questions. I’m always trying to make something that is precisely itself rather than an approximation of what may have informed the work.”
Robert has co-founded artists’ collectives and gallery spaces. He has produced and curated numerous shows including Museum commissions. He is currently working with international partners on a research based project called Whisper-Listen-Whisper which is an exchange and collaboration with The Baptist University of Hong Kong’s Visual Arts Academy.
Work 2
Robert Manners
No. IX
acrylic on waterford saunders paper 640 gsm
40 cm x 51 cm
Price Available Upon Request
© Robert Manners
Robert Manners
No. VII
acrylic on waterford saunders paper 640 gsm
51 cm x 62 cm
Price Available Upon Request
© Robert Manners
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Artist Profile
Education
MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking, University of West England (UWE), 2003
HND in Mural Design, Chelsea School of Art, London, 1985
Solo Exhibitions
2021
From the heart, from the hip in a time of sleep, Works on paper at ARTMILL Gallery, Plymouth, UK.
2018
Painting the Readymade, Project Space 1, Plymouth College of Art
2017
Under Construction Forever… (part III), Site specific construction, paintings, prints & collages, Theatre Royal, Plymouth
2016
Equivalents & Prototypes, ARTMILL Gallery, Plymouth
2010
Seascape Refits, Create Centre, Bristol
Group Exhibitions & Projects
2020-21
Whisper-Listen-Whisper
Ongoing research project in collaboration with Hong Kong Baptist University, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong
2018
N-E-W…ideas – Lead Curator for a takeover show of the Old Methodist Chapel (now Ashburton Arts Centre)
New Religions – Permanent print-based installation work made in the Arts Centre as part of the show
2016
Fathoms Fragments Fieldwork, Green Hill Arts, Moretonhampstead, Devon
2015
‘SLOW’ Abstraction, School for Creative Arts, Plymouth
Plymouth Weekender
Affordable Art Fair with Transistor Gallery, London
Co-Founder & Curator of CONTAINER – Artists’ led gallery & project space, Bristol
2010-2011
The Plinth Project – Commissioned project by BRISTOL CITY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
Curated and Produced by CONTAINER. 6
Artists making a site-specific artwork for the empty plinth in the Museum’s entrance foyer
Under Construction Forever… (part I)
Site specific installation – construction painting – in Bristol City Museum & Gallery
Collaborative program between CONTAINER and Bristol City Museum & Gallery
Awards
FHEA – Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy 2018
Works
Robert Manners
No. XV
acrylic on waterford saunders paper 640 gsm
90 cm x 102 cm
Price Available Upon Request
© Robert Manners
Robert Manners
No. IX
acrylic on waterford saunders paper 640 gsm
40 cm x 51 cm
Price Available Upon Request
© Robert Manners
Robert Manners
No. VII
acrylic on waterford saunders paper 640 gsm
51 cm x 62 cm
Price Available Upon Request
© Robert Manners
