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MICHAEL ROBINSON
Artist and Poet drew inspiration from spiritual
beliefs
By Nancy McDermid
As an artist and poet who drew inspiration
from his spiritual beliefs, Michael Robinson believed that “it
is important that we see the Earth as a living entity, only then
can we understand where we fit in.”
The renowned Metis artist who died on July 27th at age 62 was
a resident of both Manitoulin Island and Keene Ontario.
His artwork consisting of aboriginal images
and themes is contained in collections across Canada and the
United States including the Canadian Museum of Civilization,
the Royal Ontario Museum and the McMichael Gallery.
Exhibitions were numerous and included Manitoulin galleries such
as the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, Kasheese Studio, Gore Bay
Museum, South Bay Gallery and the Hettmann Studio.
Ursula Hettmann has been Mr. Robinson’s art dealer and friend
for many years.
“He was a tremendous artist and a very
interesting man with a great deal of knowledge about history
and native history,” she said.
“He was also a devoted father,” she
added and recalled the amount of time he spent with his children.
Erla Boyer owner of Gallery Indigena in Stratford has been exhibiting
the artist’s work since the 1980’s.
“Michael was a profound person and an enduring and outstanding
First Nation artist.
He leaves a legacy through his art and his poetry. Michael was
a visionary in the way he looked into the future. He was always
interested in timelines, history and the environment,” she
stated.
Michael Robinson studied at the Sheridan College School of Design
and majored in Glass Blowing which was his medium until 1986.
He followed with paintings and copper etchings
as well as four books of poetry.
Freedom of Silence was published in 1988 followed by The Earth
and the Dancing Man in 1991, Touching the Serpent’s Tail
in 1992 and A Bird Within a Ring of Fire in 1998.
In describing his art Mr. Robinson wrote that “I have worked
hard at removing ‘man’ from the ‘center of all
things’ by putting him in his rightful place. Equally, among
all living things.”
He also stated that “using the Earth as a point
of reference, I watch the world go by through her eyes, her perception
of reality. It is the earth’s clarity of reason that I have
learned not to judge but work toward healing and hope. My work
represents man’s responsibility as an equal member and a
steward to the medicine circle of life.”
Images of birds, turtles, fish and man are used as symbols in
the artist’s pen and ink line drawings and detailed etchings.
Examples of his art and a description of the
etching process can be viewed on his website www.michaelrobinson.ca.
Zachary Robinson one of the artist’s children
stated in his eulogy that his father was “incredibly kind
and generous.” He spoke to the fact that his father encouraged
him as well as his siblings to “chase our own dreams and
become our own people.”
The artist died peacefully at home surrounded
by his family. He is survived by his wife, 4 children and two
grandchildren.
Donations can be made in Michael Robinson’s honor to the
Peterborough Regional Hospital for the creation of a palliative
care rooftop garden. (1 Hospital Drive Peterborough Ont. K9J
7C6.)
Michael Robinson#1
Inside the Fifth World. The artist writes that “The Fifth
World is the promise that life will continue its historical journey
into new worlds and new ideas. Our identity or view of what or
who we are as human beings will change as a matter of course,
no matter how hard we resist.”
Michael Robinson #2
Michael Robinson’s etching entitled; The Wheel of Time:
Running Ahead of the Wind is indicative of the level of detail
in his art as well as his interest in timelines and history.
Michael Robinson #3
Michael Robinson was considered a profound and visionary artist
who leaves a legacy through his art and his poetry.
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