Robert Oxley
Autumn | 2024

Noted for his bold, kaleidoscopic colour palette and expressive brushwork, Robert Oxley has captivated audiences with a completely unique approach to depicting wildlife. Traditionally his work has focused on the animals themselves, often set against abstract or minimalist backgrounds, emphasising their exquisite form and movement.

In his latest collection, Oxley incorporates environments as vibrant and dynamic as the animals that inhabit them. We see a gorilla searching through woodland and a camouflaged elephant heading towards us, surrounded by lush jungles and dense forests.

Yet this flora and fauna are not based in realism. Starting by studying how leaves and plants behave, Oxley has then let his imagination take over, using intense colour clashes and fluid markings to bring them to life.

Enriching his compositions while retaining his signature style, this collection marks a significant evolution in Oxley’s artistic journey.

“I just had to create a world for my animal creations to live in. I had to imagine an environment that these psychedelic animals would inhabit. I wanted to stay away from the natural colours found in nature, these animals deserve to live in an equally distorted colourful habitat.”

Featured Art: 'Gardenia'. A Hand-signed Textured Flatbed Giclée on Canvas Limited Edition by Robert Oxley.

Oxley is celebrated for his ability to capture the essence of his animal subjects, imbuing them with personality and vitality. His paintings are not only a celebration of wildlife, but a commentary on the natural world and its beauty.

As a little boy, Oxley dreamed of becoming a zookeeper, spending hours roaming forests around a north-east coalmining village. Today, his artistic process involves a combination of observation, imagination, and a deep appreciation for the animals he crafts.

His work is characterised by its lively energy and sense of movement through his signature ‘drip’ effect, created by letting paint run down the canvas before building up colour with successively thicker application.

Capturing the raw energy and essence of wildlife, Robert's affinity with nature is evident in every instinctive brushstroke.

Featured Art: 'The Alchemist'. A Hand-signed Textured Flatbed Giclée on Canvas Limited Edition by Robert Oxley.