International Printmaking Residency

Thank you lovely people! I am delight and so grateful to get your early and generous donations. I have only 24 days to raise my target of $4000.00. It's all or nothing, so if I don't reach my target in this time I don't get a cent. EEEEK! Time to hustle and I have no doubt that your belief in me will inspire others to support this incredible opportunity.

As an art appreciator, it's always fascinating to hear about the journey that led an artist to their current artistic style or medium. This story is about my transitioning from painting in isolation to collaborative printing. It's amazing how chance encounters and the generosity of others can lead to unexpected opportunities and artistic breakthroughs.

Meeting Jill Ross in 2011 was a turning point for me. Through teaching her about colour theory, I was given the opportunity to explore the world of monotypes and work in the David Krut Print Workshop. This project working together was successful enough to lead to a solo exhibition.

Working with Jill was a revelation. I loved the way that we bounced ideas off each other, challenged each other, and learned from each other. There was a real alchemy to the printing process, too - it was fascinating to see the image take shape on the paper as we experimented with different colours and techniques. Jill has since returned to her birth country of Canada and I am living in New Zealand. But I will always be grateful for the time that we spent working together.

I am so excited to travel to the FMC to print! Belgium has a rich history of printmaking, with a long tradition of artists and printmakers who have made significant contributions to the medium. From the old masters like Peter Paul Rubens to more contemporary figures like Luc Tuymans, the intricate etchings of Rembrandt to the colourful lithographs of Toulouse-Lautrec, Belgium has been at the forefront of printmaking for centuries.

The exchange of ideas and techniques with the Belgian printmakers will undoubtedly be a rich and rewarding experience that will inform and influence my work for years to come.

Never underestimate the power of connection. I am so moved by your very generous contributions and messages of congratulations, praise and encouragement. Thank you lovely people! Being an artist is not a smooth financial career path for most. It can break your soul to always just be scrapping by. But having the support and trust of so many truly amazing people is incredibly moving, humbling and inspiring. Thank you Stephen and Karen, thank you Steven and Kate, thank you Cat, thank you Coleen, thank you Linda (my mama!) and thank you all my amazing anonymous donors - you rock!

I hope you enjoy this little behind-the-scenes video by David Krut Workshop about the making of my print 'The Middle of Nowhere (Nauru)' ;)

While I work today I have all of you in my head and my heart - thank you!

It's wonderful to announce here that Sentinels - my first solo exhibition in Auckland will open on the 4th of March. If you're in the city please come along from 2pm.

"Robyn is clever. Support her ascendancy...."

"Go make art!"

"You are the most exceptional person & your work is incredible. Safe travels x"

"May your dream come true ❤️"

"Go girl"

"Go Robyn!"

"Robs we wish we could send more but will provide a warm bed and food when you’re here."

"We have to get you there!"

"All the best Robyn xxx wishing and hoping for you!"

"You and your family are amazing and I want to see you take hold of the art world in Belgium!"

"It’s not much, but I dearly hope you reach your target ❣️"

"Hope this takes you a little closer… Wishing you all of the best Robs!"

"Dear Robyn, I hope you reach your target and we get to see you again soon ❤️"

"Hi Robyn. I wish I could donate more. All the best! "

"Robyn is an amazing talent and person. Good luck for well deserved opportunity "

"It really is not a lot but I do hope it helps get you there - you do such exquisite and thought provoking work!"

"Incredible artist, incredible woman. Keep it up. "

"You deserve this!"

"Good luck Robyn! Enjoy!"

Thank you Slyvie, Robyn, Chris and Honey! Your generosity blows me away! In celebration I'd like to share a little video piece I made during Lockdown 2020 for The Centre for the Less Good Idea project The Long Minute. The works title is Floating World and was made in collaboration with the incredibly talented musician Waldo Alexander.

I grew up, and have lived most of my adult life in Johannesburg. Borrowing words from artist William Kentridge, "In Johannesburg, we have dry winters. In summer we have heat, and thunderstorms in the afternoons. Our sublime arrives in the form of huge cumulus nimbus clouds that pile themselves up over the city. With every day, when we have a storm, a new mountain range, a new Alps, is built for us again. In that way the mine dumps can exist, be erased, be rebuilt, so from a clear sky the cathedrals of clouds construct themselves. We see two things in the clouds. Shapes: a dog’s head, an old man’s face with protruding chin, the back of a head on a shoulder. This is not our ability to see things. It is not an act of generosity to see them. It is about not being able to stop ourselves from seeing the shapes. The man’s head comes to you. Once recognised, you cannot stop yourself from seeing it. This is one element of the clouds. The other is the changing itself, their shifting form, an awareness of the engine in the clouds. Lying on one’s back, looking at the clouds in the late afternoon, there is a seed of understanding that a child gets, of the nature of provisionality. Something is growing within, changing the outside form, becoming itself."

In Floating World I wanted to record my everyday and the transience of each passing moment. I was living in my childhood home on a hill above a vast veld (grassland) with a view of the city and the extensive highveld sky. I discussed the piece with violinist Waldo Alexander and asked if he would respond to my film with the Tom Waits' 'Fawn' in mind. The orchestration is as mezmerizing as the clouds. The quiet slow, haunting pace is beautifully contrasted by the swift, turbulent motion of the clouds.

I hope you enjoy!

P.S. I'm having trouble embedding the video, but you can view it by following the link in the title - Floating World - above)

Thank you Iain and Tzu-mei for your generous donation!

With only 15 days to go and $3016,30 to raise before I reach my target, every little bit helps :)

This little oil titled Sentinel I will be exhibited in my solo exhibition opening this Saturday at Depot Artspace, Devonport, Auckland. If your'e in town please pop in. You can also view the work online here.

I wanted to take a moment to explain how Boosted NZ works and give you an update on my project.

Boosted NZ is a crowdfunding platform specifically designed for arts projects. Their mission to connect artists with art lovers and people who appreciate the value of creative endeavours. Unlike other platforms, Boosted NZ relies on donors who give without any incentives, other than seeing the project they support come to life. When an artist launches a project on Boosted NZ, they define a target funding goal which represents the minimum amount they need to realise their project. If the target isn't reached within the given time frame, the project can't proceed, and all donors are refunded in full.

Currently, I'm at 29% of my target with only 10 days left to reach my goal. It's a nail-biting situation!

Huge thanks to Fiona Mackay and my lovely anonymous donor for your recent generous support.

I hope you enjoy the images from my solo exhibition, which opened yesterday in Auckland :)

I'm currently lecturing a Contemporary Art course for 3rd year Art Students. In preparation for my next lecture I stumbled across this letter from Claude Monet to Georges Charpentier (A Desperate Plea). I took heart from it and thought I had to share it with you.

Vétheuil, 1878

"I am literally penniless here, obliged to petition people, almost to beg for my keep, not having a penny to buy canvas and paints . . .

I had called on you this morning in the hope of arranging some small deal, no matter how small, so as not to go home with no money. I was unable to see you, and greatly regret it. I will send you a painting I think you will like. I ask you 150 francs for it, or, if that price seems to you too high, 100 francs, which I should be extremely grateful if you would send to me at Vétheuil, Seine-et-Oise. If the picture is not what you want, I will change it for another when I come back.

Thanking you in anticipation, your devoted

—Claude Monet"

Wowzers! Thank you - each and every one of you who has so kindly showered me with kindness and generosity. It is humbling to see the outpouring of support from friends and family, especially those who may not have much to spare themselves. I don't know how I can ever thank you all enough. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you Kecia, Sandra, Hjördis, Nina, Pam, Hannah, and the anonymous!

I'm off to teach for the day with a full heart and an incredible sense of purpose!

It has been another couple of eventful days on the crowdfunding front. A HUGE thank you to Gillian who has been so magnanimous. And thanks also to Tanya, Verushka and anonymous for your very generous donations. I want you all to know that your support means the world to me, not just because of the financial assistance, but also because of the endorsement of my work and the encouragement to continue creating. Thank you!

The concept of the impossible happening is a fascinating one. Occurrences that seem so unlikely or outside the realm of possibility that we believe they could never happen. However, from time to time everything aligns in just the right way and a wall in Berlin falls, women get the vote in New Zealand, man lands on the moon, democracy comes to South Africa and I am awarded a residency, beyond my wildest dreams, and a bunch of incredible and generous people give me the money to make it happen!

Thank you Annie Ackerman for encouraging me to crowd fund. Thank you Richard for always believing in me. Heartfelt thanks Cliff and Kris. Thank you so much Anna Miles Gallery, Jamie and Karl. And thank you again to each and every one of you who have made this happen - you people rock! Amazing! I have booked my flight to Brussels, unbelievable!

Dearest donors,

With only 13 hours left on the clock, I would like to thank you all for the success of this campaign. You have made a significant difference in my life, and I will never forget your kindness and generosity. Thanks to you I will be attending the FMC artist residency!

I cannot express how grateful I am for all of your support throughout this journey. Your donations, encouragement, and belief in my art have been truly inspiring, and I am deeply humbled. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, has made a significant impact and helped me achieve my goal.

Your belief in my artistic abilities and your willingness to support me means more than you can imagine. I will make sure to keep you updated on my progress and the creative work that results from this experience.

Please send your email address to info@robynpennart.com if you would like residency updates from me.

Once again, I cannot thank you enough for your support. I hope to continue to make art that inspires and brings joy to all of you.

Robyn