ROBERT LOOKER

Robert Looker was born in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Ignoring encouragement from his art teachers to pursue a fine art career, Robert instead chose to pursue a creative career in advertising. Then after 20 years working in Auckland, Robert moved to Sydney in 2000, where in the same year he visited the Sydney Biennale exhibitions and met artists who encouraged him to resurrect his love of oil painting.

Robert is mostly a self-taught artist, but during his time in Sydney he was mentored by Australian artist and National Art School tutor Roger Crawford, and completed workshops with well-known artists Lucy Culliton, David Fairbain, Barbie Kjar and Euan McLeod.

Home and belonging have become central elements in Robert’s work. His paintings have been described as abstract expressionist and are often painted ‘in the moment’ after recalling a memory of a place or event. Robert regards himself a figurative artist but suggests that working from memory sees his dynamic paint strokes become a balance of figurative and abstract.

Robert has exhibited in Auckland and Sydney and has been a finalist in some of Sydney’s leading art prizes.  Robert’s work is held in private collections in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, UK, and Seychelles.

In 2015, Robert retired from advertising and is currently living and painting between Auckland and Mangawhai in Aotearoa New Zealand.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2024 Finalist – Kaipara Art Awards, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2024 Finalist – Kumeu Art Awards, Kumeu Arts Gallery
2023 Finalist – Kumeu Art Awards, Kumeu Arts Gallery
2023 Home Ground, with Kim Logue, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2023 Earth Songs, with Linda Gilbert, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2019 Home Coming, ARTHAUS, Auckland, – Solo exhibition
2018    Play – Allpress Studio Gallery, Auckland
2014    Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
2013     Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
2010     Finalist – North Sydney Art Prize
2009    Finalist – I Love Kirribilli Art Prize
2009    Angel Restaurant & Gallery, Queenscliff – Solo Exhibition
2009    Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
2009    Keeping Company 2009, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Biennial Exhibition
2008    Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
2008    Changeable Art – Moments, North Sydney
2007    Finalist – Northbridge Art Prize, Gallery 307, Northbridge
2005    Finalist – Waverley Art Prize, Waverley Art Gallery
2003    Finalist – Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery

STUDIES

2018    Whitecliffe College of Arts, Contemporary Painting with Richard Fahey
2014     NAS, Summer School, Painting Master Class with Roger Crawford
2014     NAS, Painting Master Class (Semester 1 & 2) with Roger Crawford
2013     NAS, Summer School, Painting Master Class with Roger Crawford
2013     NAS, Painting Master Class (Semester 1 & 2) with Roger Crawford
2012     NAS, Large Scale Portraits with David Fairbairn
2012     NAS, Portrait Essentials with Barbie Kjar
2008    NAS, Painting on Cockatoo Island with Euan McLeod
2005    NAS, Painting Master Class with Roger Crawford
2004    NAS, Painting the Figure with Lucy Culliton
2002    Workshop Arts Centre, Oil Painting with Tania Castaing