Abstract expressionist artist Rob Forlani resides in Perth and has solo exhibited nationally and internationally with collectors across Australia in Sweden, England, South Korea, New Zealand and the USA.
Rob Forlani, is known for his bold application of colour and texture. Rob’s use of symbolism guides his brush strokes into standout abstract pieces, instantly transforming an ordinary room into a modern, vibrant space.
Rob’s artistic journey began at the age of seven when a broken leg confined him to a bed for eight weeks at Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth. He enthusiastically participated in the hospital’s 'Art Shop' program and discovered his passion for art.
It’s Rob’s collective experiences (his high school art teacher and impressionist painter Darryl Jane, a trip to Italy in his teens, the post-impressionist and 'fauve' movements) that influenced his various styles. It was the serendipitous discovery of artists such as Kandinsky, Hans Hofmann, Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler that aroused Rob’s interest in Abstract Expressionism.
This then started a process of precipitating real life events and situations, spawning concepts and ideas which ultimately culminated into abstract paintings. Armed with these ideas he then put paint to canvas and in early 2001 Rob started exhibiting on the Perth Gallery circuit.
In Mid 2005 Rob was selected to participate in New York’s prestigious Agora Gallery’s "Out From Down Under and Beyond: An Exhibition of Fine Art from Australia and New Zealand" with 11 other well-known Australian artists. While traveling through some of the USA's most eclectic cities, such as New York, Boston, Washington DC and San Francisco, Rob was able add to his growing melting pot of influence and style.
In 2006, Rob’s work was chosen for a solo exhibition, entitled “Essential Abstracts,” to open Zinc Details newest store, San Francisco’s globally renowned interior store. Shortly after San Francisco, Rob attended his first international solo exhibition at the prestigious Art Moderna i Gallerier in Stockholm.
Rob has successfully displayed his work in Perth, Margaret River, Sydney, Melbourne, The Gold Coast, Adelaide, Stockholm, New York and San Francisco.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2019 “Cielo” - Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2016 “Transfix” Gallows Gallery, WA
2015 “Orizzonte 1.5” Gallows Gallery, WA
2014 “Thoughts+Colour” Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay
2013 “Outbursts” - Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, WA
2013 “Tension & Release” -Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay, Sydney
2012 “Esoterica” Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay, Sydney
2011 ”Uprising” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, WA
2011 ”Abstraktion” The Studio Gallery Yallingup,WA
2010 ”19 Voices” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park,WA
2009 “Undercurrent” Linton & Kay Contemporary, WA
2009 “Australien” Minsyster och jag, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 “New Works” Tempo Art, Armadale, Melbourne,
2008 “Modern Parallels” LK Galleries, Subiaco,WA
2007 “Tiger Lounge” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah ,WA
2007 “Compressed Tangents” Gallery 101, Australia Club
2006 “Ambienza” Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm,Sweden
2006 “New Works” Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
2006 “Quintessence” Tristan's the Gallery, Northbridge, Western Australia
2005 “Essential Abstracts” Zinc Details Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2005 “Symbolista” Jahroc Gallery, Margaret River, Western Australia
2004 “New Mood” Kings Art Gallery, Perth, WA
2003 “New Works” Gadfly Gallery, Dalkeith, WA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 A Christmas Feast, Gallows Gallery, Perth Western Australia
2018 Summer Days, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2018 Biennal Lluit Art 2018, Valencia, Spain
2018 Fine Art at Hale, WA
2017 Red 2017, Gallery 25N, NY
2017 Fine Art at Hale, WA
2017 March Long Weekend Exhibition, The Studio Gallery,WA
2015 Summer exhibition, The Studio Gallery WA
2014 Christmas Exhibition, The Studio Gallery, WA
2013 Group Exhibition -”Ultra Funk”, Studio 281 Gallery,WA
2013 Variations, Galleria de’ Marchi Bologna, Italy
2013 Spring Exhibition, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2013 Little Treasures, Galleria de’ Marchi Bologna, Italy
2012 Christmas Exhibition,The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2011 ‘August’Exhibition’, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2010 Cossack Art Awards, Broome, WA
2010 ‘Soul’ Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah, WA
2010 ‘March Exhibition’, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2009 ‘Art Sydney’, The Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
2009 ‘August Exhibition’, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2009 ‘Hilton Adelaide Selection’, Greenhill Galleries,SA
2009 ‘Hopeinen Sivellin Galleria Helsinki, Finland
2008 ‘Art in Mind’, The Bricklane Gallery, London
2008 ‘Tiramisu’, Fad Gallery Melbourne, Australia
2008 ‘Abstract Elements’ Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe,WA
2007 ‘Con.ceit’ Corangamarah Art Prize, Victoria
2006 ‘Little Tempters’ Artworks Gallery, Gold Coast, QLD
2006 Greenhill Galleries Adelaide, SA
2006 ‘Inspired Collective’, ARQ Artworks,Osbourne Park
2006 ‘Lush’ Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Ocean Marina, WA
2005 Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
2005 Agora Gallery SoHo, New York, USA
2004 ‘Mt Lawley the Journey’, Gallery 360 Mt.Lawley,WA
2000 Accent Gallery Dalkeith, WA
Associations
Member, "The Artists Foundation of Western Australia"
Indigo Art
Member, Victoria Park Centre For The Arts
Member, Artists In Arms Western Australia
Education
Lecturer, Claremont School of Art
Awards/Grants
Art Flight, Department of Culture & The Arts W.A. - Agora Gallery New York Exhibition 2005
"My work is an exploration of the relationship between mind and tangibility. On first glance it seems like pure abstraction of form and colour; not quite landscape - not quite realism. Interpretation is in turn the conscious control of our emotions."