Robert Shepherd
My drawing practice oscillates between an historical mindset grounded in draftsmanship and an enthusiasm to explore unpredicted patterns and properties which emerge through random and accidental mark making.
Born on Gadigal Country (Sydney), 1962
Robert Shepherd lives and works in the upper Blue Mountains village of Blackheath (Colomatta). Prior to his studies at National Art School, he has for the majority of his working career focused his artistic talents in the area of graphic design, and print management, maintaining a freelance position and dealing directly with companies, Sydney based advertising agencies and design firms.
Education
2010 National Art School – BFA Honours (Drawing) Distinction
2009 National Art School – BFA
1981 Graphic Design Certificate, Randwick Technical College
2009 National Art School – BFA
1981 Graphic Design Certificate, Randwick Technical College
Group Exhibitions
2023 The Lester Prize
2023 Dobell Drawing Prize
2020 Kedumba Drawing Award – Blue Mountains
2019 Kedumba Drawing Award – Blue Mountains
2015 Muswellbrook Art Prize Finalist – Works on paper
2014 Kedumba Drawing Award – Orange Regional Gallery
2014 Kedumba Drawing Award – Blue Mountains
2013 Draw on the Mountain Art Prize (Blue Mountains) – Drawing Sketchbook Submission
2011 Artworks and Artwords – National Art School Project Space
2009 NAS / John Olsen Art Prize
2009 Island Remnants and other marks – Xavier Art Space
2009 On an Island – Mould Loft, Cockatoo Island
2009 InGrid – Stairway Gallery National Art School
2008 NAS / John Olsen Art Prize
2007 NAS / John Olsen Art Prize
2007 Adelaide Perry Art Exhibition for Drawing
2006 Adelaide Perry Art Exhibition for Drawing
2003 What comes from here – Mary Place Gallery Paddington
2023 Dobell Drawing Prize
2020 Kedumba Drawing Award – Blue Mountains
2019 Kedumba Drawing Award – Blue Mountains
2015 Muswellbrook Art Prize Finalist – Works on paper
2014 Kedumba Drawing Award – Orange Regional Gallery
2014 Kedumba Drawing Award – Blue Mountains
2013 Draw on the Mountain Art Prize (Blue Mountains) – Drawing Sketchbook Submission
2011 Artworks and Artwords – National Art School Project Space
2009 NAS / John Olsen Art Prize
2009 Island Remnants and other marks – Xavier Art Space
2009 On an Island – Mould Loft, Cockatoo Island
2009 InGrid – Stairway Gallery National Art School
2008 NAS / John Olsen Art Prize
2007 NAS / John Olsen Art Prize
2007 Adelaide Perry Art Exhibition for Drawing
2006 Adelaide Perry Art Exhibition for Drawing
2003 What comes from here – Mary Place Gallery Paddington
Solo Exhibitions
2011 Exploring the Accidental Mark – Muswellbrook Regional Gallery
2006 Drawn to Abstraction – Mary Place Gallery Paddington
2006 Drawn to Abstraction – Mary Place Gallery Paddington
Awards
2014 Glebe Art Prize – Peoples Choice Award
2014 Pyrmont Art Prize
2013 Draw on the Mountain Art Prize (Blue Mountains)
2008 Fonas Prize for Drawing
2007 Fonas Prize for Drawing
2000 City of Liverpool Annual Art Prize – Works on paper
2000 City of Liverpool Annual Art Prize – Painting
2000 Muswellbrook Regional Art Prize – Works on paper
2000 Kiama Art Society Annual Art Prize – Painting