ABOUT
ROBERT LOOKER
Robert was born in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. From an early age, Robert had a passion to draw, paint, create, and become a full-time artist.
However, upon leaving high school, Robert was encouraged to “get a proper job”. He began a career in advertising that started in Auckland and ended 40 years later in Sydney, when he retired and returned to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Robert is now a full-time oil painter. His preferred subjects are the landscape, the human figure and portraiture. Home and belonging have become central themes in Robert’s paintings, as he combines plein air observation and memory to capture both quietly reflective and strongly visceral work.
Robert’s diverse techniques range from painting alla prima—where a work is completed in one session using wet-on-wet layers of paint mixed directly on the canvas—to automatism (the avoidance of conscious intention) and grattage (a process of scratching away the paint).
Without any formal art school qualification, Robert is predominantly a self-taught artist. However, while living in Sydney, he attended Painting Master Classes by renowned artist and tutor Roger Crawford and workshops with celebrated artists Lucy Culliton, David Fairbairn, Barbie Kjar and Euan MacLeod at National Art School.
Robert has exhibited in Auckland and Sydney and has been a finalist in Australian and New Zealand art prizes. Robert’s work is in private collections throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, UK, and Seychelles.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2026 Land. Sea. Sky. with Karen Vernon, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2026 Arthaus Contemporary – Solo exhibition
2026 Crafty Baker, Titirangi – Solo exhibition
2026 Little Rosie, Parnell – Solo exhibition
2025 Finalist & Crafty Baker Prize Winner – 2025 Emerging Artist Awards, The Upstairs Gallery
2025 Home & Country: with Danielle Adams & Karen Vernon, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2024 Finalist – Kaipara Art Awards, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2024 Finalist – Kumeu Art Awards, Kumeu Arts Gallery
2023 Finalist – Kumeu Art Awards, Kumeu Arts Gallery
2023 Home Ground: with Kim Logue, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2023 Earth Songs: with Linda Gilbert, Mangawhai Artists Gallery
2019 Solo exhibition – Home Coming: ARTHAUS Contemporary, Auckland
2018 Play: Allpress Studio Gallery, Auckland
2014 Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
2013 Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
2010 Finalist – North Sydney Art Prize, Sydney
2009 Finalist – I Love Kirribilli Art Prize, Sydney
2009 Solo Exhibition – Angel Restaurant Gallery, Sydney
2009 Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
2009 Keeping Company: Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Biennial Exhibition
2008 Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
2008 Changeable Art Moments: North Sydney
2007 Finalist – Northbridge Art Prize, Gallery 307, Sydney
2005 Finalist – Waverley Art Prize, Waverley Art Gallery, Sydney
2003 Finalist – Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
STUDIES
2018 Whitecliffe College of Arts, Contemporary Painting with Richard Fahey
2014 NAS, Summer School, Painting Master Class with Roger Crawford
2014 NAS, Painting Master Class (Semester 1 & 2) with Roger Crawford
2013 NAS, Summer School, Painting Master Class with Roger Crawford
2013 NAS, Painting Master Class (Semester 1 & 2) with Roger Crawford
2012 NAS, Large Scale Portraits with David Fairbairn
2012 NAS, Portrait Essentials with Barbie Kjar
2008 NAS, Painting on Cockatoo Island with Euan McLeod
2005 NAS, Painting Master Class with Roger Crawford
2004 NAS, Painting the Figure with Lucy Culliton
2002 Workshop Arts Centre, Oil Painting with Tania Castaing
STAY IN TOUCH
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