The Silk Road - gravure prints with hand finishing
By Rosalind Robinson
Limited edition gravure prints with hand finishing
Framed and unframed
In order as above:
Pelegrina and Gem Trader - £600 framed, £450 unframed
Image size: H: 28cm x W: 20cm
Framed size: H: 50cm x W: 40cm
Pearl Trader - £600 framed, £450 unframed
Image size: H: 30cm x W: 30cm
Framed size: H: 56cm x W: 54cm
Orizuru Shou - £550 framed, £400 unframed
Image size: H: 28cm x W: 22cm
Framed size: H: 53cm x W: 43cm
Rosalind has been busy, for almost three years, conceiving and creating work inspired by her interest in the rich history of the Silk Routes.
The Silk Road originated in China over a thousand years ago, beginning a network of trade routes which spread across continents from East to West. Massive wealth was generated by travellers trading in silks, spices and precious gems along the routes. Not only were goods traded, but also religions, philosophies and ideas.
These stunning four prints make their exclusive debut here as part of our Summer 2025 Indulgence exhibition.
They all relate directly to the paintings Rosalind has made as a result of her research into Silk Route stories. Three of the images represent the lucrative trade in diamonds, pearls and precious gemstones found in various locations along the Silk Routes. The fourth refers to the trade in cultural ideas:
“PELEGRINA” wears the world famous pear-shaped pearl that was found off the coast of Panama by an enslaved African pearl diver, then gifted to the Spanish monarchy by the Portuguese pearl trader. Said to be the largest pear-shaped pearl ever found, it was subsequently bought by Richard Burton to indulge Elizabeth Taylor’s love of expensive jewellery.
“THE GEM TRADER” proudly indulges in the display of his resulting wealth with the lavish jewellery that adorns his tunic.
“THE PEARL TRADER” wears a flamboyant headdress made of coral and oyster shells and adorned with pearls.
“ORIZURU SHOU” illustrates the pairing of symbols for long life, loyalty and good health between cultures. Orizuru is Japanese for origami cranes, the symbol of peace and good fortune in Japanese culture; and Shou is the Chinese character symbolising longevity and good health in Chinese culture.
The prints have made using the Photopolymer Gravure technique: "Taking my original painting as a starting point, the image is etched onto a polymer plate enabling an intaglio print to be made using traditional techniques. I use watercolour, pastel and metallic colour to add further detail."
"Using this process has enabled a re-interpretation of my original subject in a different medium, allowing further exploration of the subject; extending both the range and the reach of my work. I’ve been excited to discover a new way of working - in black and white on soft damp paper using printing inks, to produce deep velvety tones."
ABOUT ROSALIND ROBINSON
In art, the direct gaze can be compelling, disturbing or disarming, offering frank emotional engagement. But, in life, in our remote and digital age, this vital physical connection between us is increasingly absent .
Rosalind Robinson is a figurative painter who seeks to redress the balance. In distinctive and arresting images, laden with symbolism, she explores personal space and human proximity – or distance. The imaginary, sometimes surreal, portraits she creates convey the mystery and ambiguity implicit in facial expression and the tensions between individuals: we, the viewer, are held in the figures' gaze and wonder about about their story and their relevance to the present day.
One of Rosalind's trademarks, emanating from her theatrical roots, is the extraordinary way she completes the costume and identity of each figure with a headdress that replaces hair: she gives many of her figures a paper, bejewelled or ribbon-like head form which she paints based, often, on full-size models that she makes, meticulously, from twisted and folded paper. The faces morph into these structures and the head-top adornments become part of the symbolism and characterisation of each figure.
"I started out adapting my love of natural form to paint hair that looked like tree bark or roots and then I moved into adapting still life forms. It was a progression and gives me plenty of scope to adapt style and shape to each figure, group or series."
Her award-winning work is represented nationally and internationally in public and private collections, and is exhibited regularly in London, Bristol and Bath. After studying for a BA in Fine Art in London, she was a scenic artist for the BBC before pursuing a career as a mural painter.
Since 2010, her focus has been on producing paintings and drawings in her studio. She was elected as a Member of the Society of Women Artists in 2017 and in 2020 she was elected as an Academician at the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol.