Biography

Obscured or ambiguous purposiveness provides the primary line of enquiry for Robyn Walton. The artist appropriates mundane material as part of an ongoing concern with the theme of utility – particularly in relation to reproductive labour and maintenance work. Subverting the function of everyday objects upends our understanding of what an ‘art’ object or a ‘utilitarian’ object could be. This instability is readily apparent when something is used in an unauthorised way – and becomes the prompt for a different kind of attention. As purpose is confounded associations are expanded beyond the zone of household activity.

“Our understanding of use and labour becomes fraught once an object is made desirable. This underlines Robyn’s experimentation with found objects, which are often domestic tools, the most purposeful. Through minor and formalistic distortion, she emphasises our relationship to ‘function’ by rendering it obsolete. She is always thinking about this in relation to the art gallery, a space where the object is made both debilitated and invaluable, presenting parallels to the realm of marketed wants.” Moya Lawson, 2019.

EXHIBITIONS

- mā-ter ma-ter, mothermother Iteration 18 at Silo 6, Auckland, 2022

- The Medium is the Message, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, 2020

- Bells and Whistles, curated by Moya Lawson, Play_Station Space, Wellington, 2019

- I Lean You My Support, RM Gallery, Auckland, 2019

- Combine the Package You Can Use and Read it in More Versions, curated by James Hope, Laurel Project Space, Dunedin, 2019

- On the Useful Object, Elam MFA Graduate Show, 2018

- Mix Tape, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland, 2018

- see the object as in itself it really is, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland, 2017

- Net Work: this is not a group show, West Space, Melbourne, 2017

- Other Things: background noise, Elam Graduate Show, 2016

- What do I want? Where do I stand? 223 Symonds St, Auckland, 2016

- SERIOUSLY, NO GOODBYES, Corner Window Gallery, Auckland, 2016

- Mechanism – 2D & 3D drawing, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland, 2016

- Artichoke, ProjectSpace, University of Auckland, 2015

- Co-lapse, Studio One Toi Tū, Auckland, 2014

AWARDS

- Finalist: Wallace Art Award, Auckland, 2019

- Finalist: Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2016

- Finalist: Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D Art Award 2014

EDUCATION

- Master of Fine Arts, Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, 2018

- BFA Hons, Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, 2016