Over a remarkable six-decade career, William Robinson has continually pushed the boundaries of the painting medium, driven by an inherent desire to subvert the two-dimensional picture plane. Nowhere is this more evident than in his landscapes from the 1990s through 2000s, which transcend mere visual representation, and invite visitors into a majestic and monumental dialogue
with nature.

Numinous presents some of the most significant works of Robinson’s oeuvre, which capture a sense of the unknown, the infinite and the divine. These paintings reflect the multifaceted and ever-changing natural world, delving into the liminal spaces where night turns to day, earth to sky and sky to water. The artist’s dynamic portrayal of natural elements—fire, water, clouds—creates a complex sense of time and space. These depictions can be interpreted as symbols for various states of mind, the cycle of life and death, or what might exist beyond the physical realm. Serving as personal expressions of his profound connection to the landscape, Robinson’s paintings open a field of vision through which to contemplate our place in the universe.

Marking fifteen years since the inception of the William Robinson Gallery at QUT in 2009, Numinous celebrates Robinson’s significant and distinct impact on the Australian landscape tradition. A meditation space within the gallery provides a tranquil environment for quiet reflection, surrounded by the artist’s radiant watercolour studies from the 1970s and 1980s, depicting sunlit landscapes and heavenly night skies. Numinous invites visitors to become immersed in Robinson’s awe-inspiring landscapes, and connect with the sublime power of nature.