ROBERT A. NELSON
Animal Tales
Age is just a number for Robert A. Nelson, and the 94-year-old draftsman and former college art professor shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, he’s still exhibiting new work at venues like CityFolk Gallery, where his latest series will hang through October 26. Titled Lost Animal History, the series of drawings features elaborate collages depicting one of Nelson’s favorite subjects—animals.
“Most of the situations are not real in any sort of way—but maybe in an alternate universe,” he says of the series. “It’s a little bit like a diamond in a way, with many facets and many cuts. I think it comes down to storytelling that has never been passed down or told to anyone.”
His approach to the intricate scenes focuses first and foremost on the narrative. “Generally, one of the things I’ve noticed is that I’m able to incorporate more personalities [into the works],” he shares. “There are more figures and it’s a little more complex with the groupings and the way the figures interact. I’ve never quite took it to the level where it is now—where the heads are a bit bigger and you have to show a bit more and you have to model [your subjects] in a sort of photographic way. I also have a clearer feeling in my own head about the finish that has to go on to each figure.”
A proud dog owner, Nelson’s Old Photo of Canine Korps is a tribute to both military men and his own furry friends.
“The dogs are so interesting to put into a sort of squadron of dogs retired from old wars. They’re now too beat up to fight anymore. So you have this sort
of lineup of these old photographs [of military men] you’ve seen a dozen times,” he says. “It’s a fantasy—they’re lining up, looking at you. They are absolutely not real, but on the other hand they are real enough that they look back at you a bit… If you look around closely you’ll discover watches, medals, cups of tea, etc. In the background it sort of echoes who these people are.”
Another work in the series, Leonardo Invents Tin Toys, gives a closer look into who Nelson is.
“He’s one of my biggest heroes because of his incredible draftsmanship,” the artist says of Leonardo da Vinci, who is holding up his blueprints and is surrounded by wind-up birds in the scene. “His ability to draw and his ability to arrange and dissect these kinds of things is amazing. Between him and Michelangelo, these were always my heroes.” He adds, with glee, “Here is my homage to Leonardo. He doesn’t look particularly healthy and is an older guy by this time, but still able to create.” And create, Nelson does.