The art of Robert Jennings
Robert Jennings
The style
Studio paintings & live painting
Born in England, raised in South Africa, and now residing in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. He attended Michaelis School of Fine Arts — University of Cape Town. Born of the political and social turmoil in South Africa of the 80’s and early 90’s, Jennings credits his desire to bring a true visual aesthetic through his art. Shown in galleries spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Influenced by Impressionists like Matisse, who contrasted pattern with form, and the Photo Realism of New York artists of the 70’s.
Selected works
Live-Art — Reactivism
Reactivism is the name Jennings gave to his live painting. It is the live work, not the studio paintings above. A style born in 1996 following in the footsteps of action painting. Reactivism is a style influenced by the moment and by the environment in which the art is created. It feeds off unplanned thought and expressive energy.
“It is a connection between the brain, the body, the spirit, the music and the people present that results in a channelled reaction to the canvas. It’s as if I go into a trance, not knowing what will come off the end of my brush, but trusting that it will stay true to the moment and be purely reactionary to the environment that it is created in.”
Jennings’ Live-Art shows have received critical acclaim and performances have been in conjunction with, MTV, Good Morning Canada, Winter Music Conference, Gibson Guitars, Rolls Royce, Steinway pianos and many private and public events spanning the globe. He looks to spread the painting style of Reactivism, presenting Live-Art shows to new audiences as he travels the world.
“It is a place of total honesty for me, truly reflective of my emotional state and heightened awareness of my surroundings. I just let myself react to the moment.”
“What one achieves as an artist when you paint live is completely different to the studio environment.”
“You can achieve very dynamic and expressive brush strokes that jump off the canvas, creating an extremely expressive and energetic moment, capturing in time a complete contrast to very specific concentration in the studio.”
The body of work
Paintings, drawings and studio work
Commissions & live painting
For commissions, live painting events & inquiries: message @jenningsliveart.