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Robin Anderson (1924-2012) became well-known in Kenya in the
1960s for her hand-printed silk batiks – a technique that she developed
herself. She combined the use of oil, watercolour, batik and screen-print to
create what she described as ‘originals on silk’.
Her subject matter, of elegant figures and wildlife scenes, is
said to be influenced by travelling around Africa with her father as a child.
Anderson studied Art in London, at Heatherleys Art School, but
soon returned to Kenya where she co-founded Gallery Watatu in 1968. Her works
were exhibited at the Commonwealth Institute in London and at the Sorsbie
Gallery, New Stanley Gallery and Gallery Watatu in Nairobi.
Robin Anderson was of European descent.
Exploring Africa with her father when Robin Anderson was a young child had a
strong influence on the subject matter depicted in her work today. Her time in
London at Heatherleys Art School subtracted nothing from her affinity for her
native country, to which she soon returned, and which was still her home. Anderson's
art has been described as `a joyous celebration of the basic grace and vitality
of all humankind, which is of little surprise when one considers the vitality
of her forefathers. Kenya owes its first hospital and newspaper to her uncle
and grandfather. In turn, Robin Anderson became one of Kenya's most renowned
artists.
Anderson has made a lasting impact on the art world
of East Africa, perhaps most famously as the co-founder of the leading East
African contemporary art gallery, Gallery Watatu, which served as a platform
for serious contemporary art in East Africa with recurrent exhibitions by
leading artists. Inspired by the people and wildlife of Kenya, Anderson was a
forerunner for what became a
burgeoning industry of batiks in South Africa
with her elegant batiks on silk.
(Anonymous)
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