Robbie
Robert Mandeville
- Sitters: Self-Portrait
- Medium: Mixed Media
- Dimensions: 37cm x 47cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artist and artwork
Robert Mandeville is a 36 year old deaf man with a significant disability (CHARGE syndrome), unable to talk or express himself in verbal or written language. He lives with his parents and has daily and overnight support from disability support workers who help with personal care, home and community activities. Despite these challenges, he lives a busy and productive life.
For the past 18 months, Robert has been attending group art classes, and through this, has found a method of self-expression, showing a preference for producing vivid abstract paintings.
In this self-portrait, Robert painted over a photograph of himself that was taken during an art class. You can see one eye and lips from the original photo. He has perfectly captured the asymmetry of his face with his often half closed left eye.
Note: The description about Robert and his artwork has been provided by his mother.
“Since that time he has definitely evolved as an artist showing a preference for producing vivid abstract paintings."
Behind the scenes
Robbie was born with a rare genetic disorder resulting in CHARGE syndrome. He requires 24/7 support but lives a busy and productive life.
Robbie has been involved in art classes since March 2022 and since that time he has definitely evolved as an artist showing a preference for producing vivid abstract paintings. He is thoroughly enjoying the creative process and it obviously gives him personal fulfilment despite not being able to effectively communicate how he feels about the process.
In this self-portrait, he has perfectly captured the asymmetry of his face with his often half closed left eye.
