Robyn Rennie: Seeing Beyond Vision

Robyn Rennie with her work.

Meet Robyn Rennie! Robyn creates intoxicating abstract paintings that vibrate with a radiant energy - each one a visual treat that engages the senses. Using various media to create texture and colour, her recent abstract body of work evokes a strong and beautiful experience for the viewer.

Read on to learn more about Robyn and her work!

Your art practice altered/evolved as a result of health issues – how has that impacted your creative process and subject matter? Describe your work and creative process? 
 
I suffered a life-changing vision loss in 2005 which has changed how I experience the world. But while I continue to choose my subject matter from the natural world, visual impairment has freed me from my former style of highly-detailed expression. While I use the same medium and grounds, I now employ them to subvert popular assumptions about sight. One common stereotype about vision loss is that it results in more acute hearing, but in reality sight merely allows the brain to filter background noise so that we can attend to something specific. My abstract works challenge what we see by evoking other senses: For example, I want the viewer to be able to visually experience what we rationally know about colours by thinking about how they might taste, smell, sound, or, feel. I hope to impart that seeing beyond vision can open the door to understanding that so much of what we assume to be true is open to interpretation. I demonstrate this concept further by using iridescent and interference paints; even a slight shift in point of view changes the changes the viewer’s experience. Any form of new information can change a person’s perspective – visually and emotionally.

What are you currently working on and any upcoming events or exhibitions?
 
I just finished my design for the upcoming “Somniatis III”.  I’m am currently working on my design for next year’s Streets Alive installation. as well as new work for the next “Feministo” show (Feministo is a group of female contemporary abstract artists that includes Patti Agapi, Catherine Cadieux, Stephanie Stanton, and myself). 

As an Orillia Artist, what are your hopes for the continued growth and vitality of the Orillia Art Community?
 
Orillia is a dynamic arts community, and  I am so honoured to be a part of the creative pulse of the city! I love that the City understands and supports the value that art has to our collective sense of self and community, as well as tourism. I could say that I hope there will be continued opportunities for public art installations and growth for the artists of Orillia, but I know that will happen.  It is already happening! 

Where can people find your work and connect with you (social media, etc.)?
 
My paintings are on display at Art & Home Studio, 17 Peter Street South in downtown Orillia. My website is Robyn Rennie Art and you can also find me on Facebook under Robyn Rennie Artist.