APTOS — Beneath every successful structure lies an intricate framework which holds everything together.
Such is the focus of artist Jenny Robinson’s “Structural Anatomies,” now on display at the Cabrillo Gallery at Cabrillo College in Aptos. The collection of large-scale prints explores the frameworks of everything from bridges to water towers, roller coasters to zeppelins through printmaking.
Robinson is a Bay Area artist who regularly teaches workshops out of her San Francisco studio, Kala Art Institute in Berkeley and the San Francisco Center for the Book. Her work has been included in various prominent collections including the Library of Congress Fine Prints Collection in Washington D.C. and Arts Council of Great Britain in London.
With “Structural Anatomies,” Robinson brings her work to Cabrillo College for a solo exhibition.
ABOVE: “Paradigm” (drypoint on Gampi, backed wih Sekishu) by Jenny Robinson. (Contributed Photo)
“The pieces are just beautiful,” said Program Coordinator Victoria May. “They sort of honor the past industrial age of design — some of these types of structures are not so common anymore.”
Robinson’s prints are created using cardboard plates as opposed to metal, making them somewhat unique in the printmaking world. This distinction was one reason why Program Instructor Beverly Rayner wanted to bring Robinson’s work to Cabrillo, May explained. One of Robinson’s cardboard plates will even be on display for people to see how they’re made.
“Our mission is always education,” May said. “Jenny is a very resourceful and inventive artist, and seeing her work may expose students to different ways of working.”
A big draw to the exhibit is the sheer size of many of the pieces. One artwork actually reaches around 8-by-6-feet. Despite this, because of the materials and techniques Robinson uses, they aren’t overwhelming or cumbersome, May said.
ABOVE: Jenny Robinson’s “Structural Anatomies” celebrates the frameworks of everything from bridges to zeppelins. (Contributed Photo)
“Structural Anatomies” will run through Oct. 26 at the Cabrillo Gallery, located in library room 1002 on the Cabrillo College campus at 6500 Soquel Drive in Aptos. An artist’s reception is planned for Oct. 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the gallery, with a talk by Robinson following.
Cabrillo Gallery will also offer a drop-in activity in the college quad on Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., where people can learn about how plates made from cardboard work and create their own samples.
For information, visit cabrillo.edu/services/artgallery or call 479-6308.
