Sneak preview: Robyn Rich

At fortyfivedownstairs, we love to encourage visitor engagement within our gallery spaces. Visual art is so enriching, and even more so when you can talk about it, or even participate in it! Robyn Rich is an artist who consistently and successfully reflects these ideals in her exhibitions, and we’re so lucky to have been showing her work in the galleries since 2012, including her Artist Residency in 2018.

Robyn is present in the gallery during her exhibitions not only through her work, but through physically being in the space, chatting to visitors and painting in situ. “There is nothing I love more than telling the stories of everyday life and in this busy and chaotic world I am intrigued by the simple things that make me stop and take notice.” From landscapes, to portraits and quirky still lifes, Robyn’s work celebrates intricate observations of the everyday, telling stories both great and small.

Robyn’s current project is based around the historical ‘lover’s eyes’, tokens of (sometimes clandestine) love in the form of miniature eye paintings popularised in the 18th and 19th centuries. Robyn continues her storytelling in this project, giving people a glimpse into the strength and character of women from all around the world, through their eyes.

We can’t wait to reopen the galleries so we can share these stories, and to have Robyn’s work back on the walls!

In the meantime, follow Robyn’s ‘lover’s eyes’ journey on her Instagram here.