Rob Forlani

Abstract expressionist artist Rob Forlani resides in Perth and has solo exhibited nationally and internationally with collectors across Australia in Sweden, England, South Korea, New Zealand and the USA.

“Iʼm in a sense...an improvisational artist, improvising a real life situation into Art."-

“When asked where I sit in the art world I would say that I have become known for bold application of colour and texture in my work. I attempt the use of symbolism to mark my marks on the canvas as a starting point, which for me is crucial.

This then guides my brush strokes into abstract pieces. Every piece has a meaning as I try to precipitate events in the real world into more of a concrete circumstance, a kind of Abstract Realism if such a thing exists...This is my method.”

Artistic journey

It was art mentor and impressionist painter Daryl Jane, who helped Rob to find his artistic direction. Three months stay in Italy during his teen years influenced his style greatly as well as the post-impressionist and ‘fauve’ art movements.

It was then the serendipitous discovery of artists such as Kandinsky, Hofmann, Kline, Pollock and Frankenthaler that aroused Rob’s interest in Abstract Expressionism.

This then started a process of precipitating real life events and situations, spawning ideas, which ultimately culminate in abstract paintings creating his first exhibition in 2000.

In Mid 2005 Rob was selected to participate in New York’s Agora Gallery’s "Out From Down Under and Beyond: An Exhibition of Fine Art from Australia and New Zealand" with 11 other well-known Australian artists.

While travelling through some of the USA's most eclectic cities, such as New York, Boston, Washington DC and San Francisco, Rob was able to add to his growing melting pot of influence and style.

In 2006, Rob’s work was chosen for a solo exhibition, entitled “Essential Abstracts,” to open Zinc Details, San Francisco’s globally renowned newest interior store. Shortly after San Francisco, Rob exhibited and attended his first European solo exhibition at the Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm.

During a 6 month period through the European winter of 2008/09 Rob lived in Stockholm and held exhibits in Finland, England and Sweden enhancing a reputation for bold, striking large abstract work with a decidedly Australian flavour.

Rob has successfully displayed his work in Perth, Yallingup, Sydney, Melbourne, The Gold Coast, Adelaide, Stockholm, Auckland, London, Helsinki, Seoul, New York and San Francisco

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2011 "Uprising” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia

2011  "Abstraktion"The Studio Gallery Yallingup, Western Australia

2010 "19 Voices" Gallows Gallery Mosman Park,Western Australia                        

2009 "Undercurrent" Linton & Kay Contemporary Subiaco, Western Australia 

2009 "Australien" Minyster och jag, Stockholm, Sweden 

2008 "New Works" Tempo Art Armadale, Melbourne Australia

2008 "Modern Parallels" Linton & Kay Galleries, Subiaco Western Australia

2007 "Tiger Lounge" Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Oean Marina, Western Australia

2007 "Compressed Tangents" Gallery 101 Western Australia Club, Perth

2006 "Ambienza" Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm, Sweden

2006 "New Works" Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA 

2006 "Quintessence" Tristan's the Gallery, Northbridge, Western Australia

2005 "Essential Abstracts" Zinc Details Gallery, San Francisco, USA

2005 "Symbolista" Jahroc Gallery, Margaret River,  Western Australia

2004 "New Mood" Kings Art Gallery, Perth Western Australia

2003 "New Works" Gadfly Gallery, Dalkeith Western Australia

Selected Group Exhibitions

2011 "August Exhibition’, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne 

2010 Cossack Art Awards, Broome, Western Australia 

2010 ‘Soul’ Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah, Western Australia

2010 ‘March Exhibition' Manyung Gallery, Melbourne 

2009 ‘Art Sydney’, The Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney

2009 ‘August Exhibition’, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne

2009 ‘Hilton Adelaide Selection’, Greenhill Galleries, South Australia

2009 ‘Hopeinen Sivellin Galleria Helsinki, Finland

2008 ‘Art in Mind’, The Bricklane Gallery, London

2008 ‘Tiramisu’, Fad Gallery Melbourne, Australia

2008 ‘Abstract Elements’ Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe Western Australia

2007 ‘Con.ceit’ Corangamarah Art Prize, Victoria (by invitation)

2006 ‘Little Tempters’ Artworks Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland

2006 Greenhill Galleries Adelaide, South Australia

2006 ‘Inspired Collective’, ARQ Artworks, Osbourne Park, Western Australia

2006 ‘Lush’ Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Ocean Marina, Western Australia

2005 Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA

2005 Agora Gallery SoHo, New York, USA

2004 ‘Mt Lawley the Journey’, Gallery 360 Mt. Lawley,  Western Australia

2000 Accent Gallery Dalkeith, Western Australia

Associations

• Member, "The Artists Foundation of Western Australia" www.artsource.net.au
• Indigo Art www.indigoart.com.au
• Member, Victoria Park Centre For The Arts
• Member, Artists In Arms Western Australia

Education

• Lecturer, Claremont School of Art

Awards - Grants

• Art Flight, Department of Culture & The Arts W.A. - Agora Gallery New York Exhibition 2005