SOLDIERS ON INSPIRATION
paintings by Maroniez or Turner,” says Robin, who adds that the rest “is influenced by material I have seen at the Black Watch”.
Since he started work on the series of paintings, Robin has become interested in the Baroque movement and symbolism in artwork to develop his style.
Now he says he feels he has created much deeper narratives, using the toy soldiers as the starting point and using them to focus on the fragility of form and loss of life.
“I’m using Orpheus as the god of dreams in one painting so that it looks like the toys are alive in the story,” adds Robin.
“In another one, because the spaceman is quite a potent figure in the work, I’ve been looking at Nasa’s website and found they are potentially going on a mission to one of Saturn’s moons called Titan.
“Then I saw an etching of Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon. Because it was a style I really like, I’ve taken that and added it with the story of Nasa but using my toys as the subject matter.
“The idea that we’re sending an object from earth to an unknown territory to try and look for life – well, that’s kind of what I’m doing using my dad’s toys. All of the work is like that now, it has a back story and more interest to it.”
Robin admits in recent months he has completely shaken up his working practice and feels he has reached a turning point in his career.
“I feel I’ve finally found something I’m really comfortable with,” he says.
Robin’s research of the Baroque period came up with the name of the exhibition: Propaganda.
It reflects a period when art was used to send out hidden messages about the importance of people and places with the rising wealth of the middle class.
“That felt like propaganda and I’m doing the same: forcing you to take on my ideas of my dad,” he says.
Although his residency at the Black Watch Museum has ended, Robin still retains links with the battalion and hopes to get involved in other projects in the future.
Whether Orpheus or Nasa will play a part in another matter ...