Artists
Robyn Kirkman
Background
Self taught attending numerous selected workshops, commencing in 1978. Three years Australian Flying Arts School, Roma, Queensland, Australia.
As a child, growing up in Queensland, Robyn spent endless hours playing in adjacent bushland to her family home. Robyn remembers, at the age of fourteen, sitting under a large gum tree collecting tiny gum nuts which she would varnish and thread up to make strings of beads. This was her first brush with jewellery making and real creativity. A few years later, Robyn was lured and soon seduced by the tactile nature of clay and became a potter, later teaching wheel throwing, glazing and firing for TAFE part-time.
After moving to the city in 1986, Robyn stumbled upon another avenue for her creative expression whilst designing geometric patterns for the rims of ceramic bowls. These experiments very soon emerged as brooches, neckpieces and earrings, so beginning her career in ceramic jewellery.
Robyn designed, made, exhibited and taught this art form for a period of 15 years and her work has been published many times.
In 1991, Robyn was Artist in Residence for a period of 5 weeks at Pine Rivers High School teaching her jewellery making skills to young art students. This proved a learning experience for Robyn as well as for her students!
In 2003 Robyn applied for a grant through RADF, provided by Pine Rivers Shire Council and the Queensland government to learn the art of glass bead making. She was successful in receiving funding in 2004 and took classes with Lisa Delanoue throughout this year. "I have truly found what I know will absorb me for the rest of my life!", says Robyn.
Teaching
During three years in Roma, Robyn taught wheel throwing, glazing and firing for eighteen months for TAFE?
Tutor: 'Jewellery Making' for Queensland Potters Association?
1991 Artist in Residence, Pine Rivers State High School - Ceramic Jewellery, and numerous country and TAFE workshops.
Exhibitions
Group
'Visiting Group Exhibition' - Toowoomba Potters Association
'Miniatures' - Australian Flying Art School, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane - 1985
'Survey of Queensland Crafts' - Crafts Council of Queensland, CCQ Gallery, Brisbane
'Survey of Queensland Crafts' - Crafts Council of Queensland, Centre Gallery, Surfers Paradise - 1987
'Jewellery Exhibition' - Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane
'Members Exhibition' - Crafts Council of Queensland, CCQ Gallery, Brisbane
'Collection '88' - Queensland Potters Association Gallery, Brisbane - 1988
'Jewellery Exhibition' - Crafts Council of Queensland, CCQ Gallery, Brisbane
'A New Direction' - Wayford Galleries, North Tambourine, Queensland
'The Annual Australian Craft Survey' Metro Arts, Brisbane
'Visions of Excellence' - Warana and Commonwealth Bank, Brisbane
'Australian Craft Show' - RAS Showgrounds, Sydney - 1989
'Brisbane - Auckland Sister City Exhibition' - Auckland, New Zealand
'Contemporary Jewellery - The Australian Experience' - Jewellery by Robyn Kirkman & Zigi Colori, Dianna Andersen & Kym Gaunt, WA, The Pines Gallery, Manning Point, NSW
'The Precious Gift' - Crafts Council of Queensland - 1990
'Wearable Portable' - Crafts Council of Queensland
'To A Smaller Scale' - Queensland Potters Gallery, Brisbane
'Contemporary Wearables' - Toowoomba Art Gallery, Queensland - 1991
'Easter Exhibition' - lasting Impressions Gallery of Fine Art, Kenilworth, Queensland - 1992
'Contemporary Wearables' - Toowoomba Art Gallery, Queensland - 1993
'Australian Fine Jewellery Exhibition' - Struggletown Fine Arts Complex - 1994
'Contemporary Wearables ' - Toowoomba Art Gallery, Queensland
'Australian Craft Show' - Brisbane - 1995
Mini Exhibition - Fusions Gallery, Brisbane - 1998
Created Pewter Australiana Range - 1999
Received RADF Grant funding to pursue the art of Lampworked Glass Bead Making. Attended regular beadmaking workshops at Sunshine Coast Hot Glass Studios, Yandina, Queensland - 2004
Solo
'Personal Perceptions' - Small Scale Sculptural Works, The Potters Gallery, Queensland - 1993