Sam Robb Art - Artist

I am an Artist from and based in Belfast and recently graduated from Ulster University. I am a studio member of Flax Art housed in a building for emerging artists. My work is derived from Belfast and sourced from photographs of on-line national archives. I am a self-reflective painter, and the work is inspired from my life experience relatable to some of the trauma that I faced as a teenager. I grew up at the tail end of the troubles in a loyalist area of Belfast, due to half my family having a catholic background, I suffered physical and psychological sectarian abuse. I felt like I didn’t belong within my own community. I found painting was the best way for me to express how I felt and perhaps give a voice to those who suffered similar experience. I see direct comparisons to the recent sectarian rioting that happened in Northern Ireland as well as the hate crimes we see happening globally.
 
The roots of inspiration used for my paintings begin with digitizing the archive images to make collages, combining several processes such as layering as a metaphor relating to the past and the future. The images are broken down through layers and separation of components of the figure with intent to autonomize the subjects. The placement of the figures creates the narratives and create inherent and consistent tensions.

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