Remy Roberts, Let Me Think, 2021. Acrylic and oil pastel on canvas, 59.5 x 77.5 cm. Courtesy: the artist.
ANNA PRIFTI
Gallery Director, West End Art Space, Melbourne
Combining representational and abstract styles, ‘Let Me Think’ is brought to life by the artist’s use of unique contrasting colours with simple flat imagery. I love Roberts’ favouring of child-like freeness over proportions; colour over depth; and similarly, the lack of detail which evokes in me a sense of simplicity and feeling of calm. Roberts creates an interesting and playful scene, one where I truly feel invited to go and think.
EDWARD WOODLEY
Director, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
Remy Roberts’ ‘Let Me Think’ pushes the boundaries of comfort and familiarity. By the awkward coupling of industrial and urban elements with organic and delicate features, we are given a glimpse into the artist’s environment, finding beauty in the ordinary. Utilising the negative space and bold teal background, the entire piece is pinned together with textured, golden yellow arcs. ‘Let Me Think’ would sit well in a clustered grouping of works, or starkly placed in the centre of a bare wall.
BENJAMIN CLAY
Curator, Olsen Gallery, Sydney
Roberts offers us an intriguing vision of respite in this painting. It translates calming real-world scenes into kinds of chatroom stickers, made graphic by his scarce shadowing and bold use of colour. The work playfully toys with online aesthetics but nevertheless returns to something more traditional via the hand. Roberts’ impossibly flat surfaces leave little room for error.