Self Portrait

ROBERT ANKE

Self Portrait, 2023
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
20 x 16 x 1.5 in

ABOUT THE WORK

"While I am a classically trained artist and a middle school art teacher, originally from LA, I've been in the bay for 25 years and grew up alongside hip hop culture. It's 52 years old (ish) and so am I. I'm really enjoying creating abstracts with oil and acrylic and some typical graffiti tools (inspired by work in the city and on the maze) and layering them with representational/figurative work (seen here) in between my other focus which is currently alla prima landscapes of CA locations."—Robert Anke

This work is included in the "Urban Tides: A San Francisco Story" group exhibition at Voss Gallery (July 13 - August 17, 2024).

ABOUT THE ARTIST

"I think I’ve always made things in order to satisfy the urge to create.

Whether it’s art, music, trail building, or whatever, the desire to make things has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember.

While I may spend time exploring in various mediums, I never stray far from painting, drawing, and ceramics; they are my home base. With regard to illustration, a little mix of dark and light, or contrasting themes in general - often with a dash of humor- seem to be the things that run through my work. My paintings are predominantly either figurative abstracts or landscapes; the former because their creation involves so much of what I love about the actual process of making visual art, and the latter because I’m constantly awed by scenery while riding a bicycle, which is another lifelong love of mine.

Being a middle school art teacher reminds me to keep my sense of wonder (and humor) alive. Kids are terrific coworkers and their constant experience of “the new” is a good reminder to see the world with beginner’s eyes; to see it as a beautiful, transient thing. I want to capture it, tweak it a little bit visually, and put it out there again for people to enjoy."—Robert Anke

HANGING & CARE

Artwork is ready to hang on the wall; hanging wire is secured on the back (nail and hook needed). Dust raw canvas with a clean, soft brush and HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean. Using a new, clean brush prevents transfer of grime from previous dustings.

PURCHASE INFO

Gallery pick up, local delivery & international shipping available! Questions? Contact us