International market for Robert Rapson
28 April 2009 Commissions from Australia and the United States for his distinctive ceramic ships have kept Hutt Valley artist Robert Rapson extremely busy over the past couple of months.
Not that he's complaining. "It's really good to get into the international market. New Zealand is a small country and so it's important to get your name abroad and have access to a much bigger market."
Robert’s work is included in Grown: New Work from New Zealand, a month-long exhibition featuring at Galerie Impaire in Paris throughout May.
It was also profiled at the New York Outsider Art Fair earlier this year. As a result of the profile, all of his work at the fair sold and he received 15 commissions.
“Robert Rapson is hot,” says Stuart Shepherd, curator of the Galerie Impaire exhibition and the New Zealand stand at the New York Outsider Art Fair.
“Before the Paris exhibition even opened, a big-time British collector bought all of Robert’s work that I had with me. Because of this exhibition, he now has a permanent outlet at the Galerie Impaire.”
As for the New York Outsider Art Fair, Stuart says the nostalgic quality of Robert's work appealed to New York buyers.
"They were delighted by the authenticity and detail of his reproductions, and the obvious knowledge and affection that Robert feels for his subjects," he says.
"The fact that Robert can do commissions for people is a bonus. It provides personal connections between the buyer, the artist and the work, often encapsulating memories of family travel."
Robert, who lives in Stokes Valley, is one of seven Wellington artists who are clients of the Creative Business Support Service, a partnership between Arts Access Aotearoa and the Ministry of Social Development. The aim of this pilot service is to create income opportunities for artists dependent on Work and Income New Zealand benefits within the Wellington region.
Obsession with ships
Robert says that making the ships are an obsession. "I've lost count how many I've made over the past 18 or so years but I’m glad that other people enjoy my obsession.”
It’s an obsession fired by his childhood. Born in 1951, Robert grew up in Wellington where his father worked on the wharves . He also has vivid memories of his Canadian mother sailing back to Canada for a visit on a passenger liner.
Robert’s turn came in his late teens when he sailed to Europe for the first time on an Italian liner, the Angelina Lauro. “I’ve made quite a few versions of the Angelina Lauro. It was a good-looking ship and I have a special affection for it because it was my first trip away by myself.”
Along with ships, Robert makes ceramic cars and planes. “I don’t do anything practical like tableware. Just things for people to look at and enjoy.”
Lower Hutt creative space
He’s been attending the Lower Hutt creative space Take 5 & Te Whare Marama for several years. “I do a lot of my firing there and I enjoy the company. Working by myself at home can be lonely so it’s good to have a place like Take 5 to work.”
He also belongs to the Stokes Valley Pottery Club, where members meet once a week to work together, share lunch and have a chat.
Robert has won several awards or been shortlisted for his work. Mostly recently, two of his works were shortlisted in the Waiclay National Ceramics Award 2008. Earlier this year, his work was part of the Australian exhibition Licorice Allsorts, and is displayed in exhibitions at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington. It can also be found in retail outlets in Rotorua, Wellington and Dunedin.
This year, Robert’s keen to branch out from ceramics and do portrait painting. He says that it’s good to have a few strings to your bow.
“I’ve been doing art most of my life. It gives me a chance to create something that people enjoy on different levels – whether it’s as an art piece, a nautical work or something that inspires memories.”