Alison Robinson-
Title : Systema Saturnium
Medium: Gouache, acrylic, watercolour
Price : POA
National Graphic
1953
Volume CIII
Number One
About the artwork:
This simple, blurry, black and white image of Saturn from 1953 sent me on a spiral of many different paths. I ended up focusing on the tiny particles that form the rings. These ice particles are made of pinks, grey, sandy brown, white, black and lilac.
What struck me most is that in 1655 the Rings of Saturn were first viewed through a telescope. Saturn had been viewed earlier but the rings had not been identified until then. In 2004 spacecraft Cassini provided the most detailed images seen so far.
Recently there has been a lot of interest in the next far horizon, space, as an option for travel. It is almost 400 years since the Rings of Saturn became visible and almost 100 years since an image was taken with state of the art technology of the time.
Where will we be in 400 years time? Will a vacation in space be considered an everyday occurrence?
About Alison:
As a textile designer and artist, concepts are researched, sketched, and samples are developed. Designs are built As a textile designer and artist, concepts are researched, sketched, and samples are developed. Designs are built intuitively from experimentation, provoking new ideas.
Working with textiles, I prefer to use sustainable natural fibres, as well as recycled and other interesting materials. Inspiration for my work is drawn from interaction with the natural world, environment and life experiences.
From a young age constructing items with textiles was ever present, developed out of necessity. Weaving, knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing was central in my family life. I draw on these skills and apply them into my work to create thought provoking pieces, that will inform or challenge the viewer of specific environmental issues that impact the world in which we live.
I enjoy the challenge of learning new skills and exploring different processes. Viewing the discarded as possibilities and experimenting with different processes. Mixing media and materials beyond their intended purpose inspires new pathways to explore.