Chad Robertson :: In The Moment

The oil paintings in Chad Robertson's latest exhibition, In the Moment, evoke both the epic and ephemeral. Mural-sized images of nudes in supermarket aisles express both idealization of and contempt for the culture of mass-consumption. An otherworldy light floods the picture planes, giving the product packages a dreamy, diaphanous quality while wrapping itself gently around the hefty sensuality of the figures. The show also features a series of portraits of children: while depicted with the same divine light of the other paintings, Robertson imbues these works with more intense color and his stylistic signature - a sort of double exposure technique in which he renders the subject's face as seen at two or more different moments. This approach elicits gasps from viewers as it allows Robertson to convey a multiplicity of emotional and physical movement within the confines of a two-dimensional medium. - Flavorpill

On November 6th, sixspace will celebrate its one-year anniversary with the exhibition In the Moment by Los Angeles artist Chad Robertson. In his first significant solo gallery exhibition, Robertson will present approximately twelve oil-on-canvas paintings that feature his unique and contemporary take on portraiture. This exhibition will explore two of his themes: grocery stores and children portraits.

Robertson is taking portraiture to the next level with his rather large, unsaturated, and magnificent paintings. He interviews personal contacts in his life, such as co-workers, relatives, and friends, and records their discussion with a video camera. In turn, by freezing the film’s frames, he records in his paintings multi-levels of specific moments within that interview that reveal a truer self; a truer self that is often hidden in a series of moments that go by too fast. Robertson says, "When time is slowed down a different world and all of its details are revealed. A person’s true self (their intentions, motivations, and desires) becomes more apparent. Subtle nuances become main events."

Chad Robertson received his BFA from Otis Parsons Art Institute in 1991. Since then he has had a successful career as a commercial graphic designer. His work was exhibited in the Absolut Biannual and at the Jason Lee Foundation’s Niva Gallery in early 2003. Most recently, his paintings can be seen in the exhibition Cruel and Unusual: a Benefit Exhibition for the West Memphis Three. Upcoming shows cities include Stockholm Sweden and Los Angeles 2004. Robertson has also been featured in publications such as LA Weekly, Pasadena Weekly, Ingénue, Wired Magazine, Brntwd Magazine, and the International Design Magazine.