Rob Forlani

At the outset, I embarked on my artistic journey as an impressionist painter, honing my skills under the guidance of my
school mentor, Daryl Jane. Yet, the course of fate unveiled a transformative encounter with artistic luminaries like Hofmann, Kline, Pollock, and Frankenthaler, serving as a catalyst for my profound fascination with the realm of Abstract Expressionism.

Intrigued by the intricate alchemy of translating life’s nuanced narratives and abstract concepts into visual art, I found myself increasingly drawn to the world of abstract painting. This burgeoning passion paved the way for my inaugural exhibition in the year 2003, marking a pivotal point in my artistic evolution.

The year 2005 ushered in an exceptional honour—an invitation to partake in the “Out From Down Under and Beyond: An Exhibition of Fine Art from Australia and New Zealand” at the esteemed Agora Gallery in New York. This prestigious opportunity unfurled a voyage across the tapestry of eclectic American cities, including the vibrant landscapes of New York,
the intellectual energy of Boston, the historical corridors of Washington DC, and the creative enclave of San Francisco.

This sojourn not only enriched my artistic influences but also imprinted an indelible mark on my evolving style. In the ensuing chapter of my narrative, the year 2006 materialised with my artwork being curated for a solo exhibition christened “Essential Abstracts.” This compelling showcase found its home at the renowned Zinc Details, an interior haven nestled in the heart of San Francisco. Swiftly following this milestone, my artistic compass guided me towards the shores of Europe, where I unveiled my first solo exhibition at the Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm. A chapter of my journey etched in the European winter of 2008/09 was marked by a six-month residence in Stockholm. During this time, I cast my artistic spell across Finland, England, and Sweden, cultivating a reputation for crafting bold, impactful large-scale abstract pieces steeped in the essence of my Australian roots.

The year 2013 emerged as a watershed moment, with my artistic endeavours finding acclaim at an exhibition in Bologna, Italy. This triumph set the stage for yet another successful showcase in the following year. The trajectory that unfurled led me to collaborative exhibitions in evocative corners of the world such as Madrid, Valencia, and Aix-en-Provence in
France between 2016 and 2017. These collective displays were a prelude to my ongoing presence in the artistic landscape of Australia, gracing places like Perth, Sydney and Yallingup in 2018.

The ensuing years, 2019 and 2020, etched a remarkable trajectory that spanned the European continent. Over the course of a seven-week odyssey, my art resonated across Sweden, Italy, and culminated in a crescendo at the prestigious Grand Palais in Paris. The chronicles of March 2021 unfolded with a distinct honour—my invitation by The Dampier Community Association to adjudicate the ‘Dampier Art Awards’ in the Pilbara. This privilege was complemented by the conduct of two enriching
workshops during the community’s art week. Subsequently, the mantle of Artist in Residence for the Cossack Art Awards 2021 was bestowed upon me by the City of Karratha in July of the same year.

The global canvas of my artistic expedition has seen my work illuminate prominent venues across the world map: from the artistic meccas of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Paris, to the creative crossroads of Bologna, Stockholm, Auckland, London, Helsinki, New York, and San Francisco. Each of these junctures has played a pivotal role in sculpting my artistic
identity, a perpetual metamorphosis that ensures my creative expression resonates with an ever-diverse and appreciative audience.

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 “R3VO7UTION” – Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2021 “AB-X Coded Conversation” – Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2019 “Cielo” – Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2016 “Transfix” – Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2015 “Orrizonte 1.5” – Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
robforlani C O N T E M P O R A R Y A R T I S T
2014 “Thoughts+Colour” Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay, Sydney
2013 “Outbursts” – Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2013 “Tension & Release” -Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay, Sydney
2012 “Esoterica” Art2Muse Gallery Double Bay, Sydney
2011 ”Uprising” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2011 ”Abstraktion” The Studio Gallery Yallingup, Western Australia
2010 ”19 Voices” Gallows Gallery Mosman Park, Western Australia
2009 “Undercurrent” Linton & Kay Contemporary, Subiaco, Western Australia
2009 “Australien” Minsyster och jag, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 “New Works” Tempo Art, Armadale, Melbourne, Australia
2008 “Modern Parallels” LK Galleries, Subiaco, Western Australia
2007 “Tiger Lounge” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Ocean Marina, Western Australia
2007 “Compressed Tangents” Gallery 101, Western Australia Club, Perth
2006 “Ambienza” Art Gallerier Moderna i Stockholm, Sweden
2006 “New Works” Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
2006 “Quintessence” Tristan’s the Gallery, Northbridge, Western Australia
2005 “Essential Abstracts” Zinc Details Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2005 “Symbolista” Jahroc Gallery, Margaret River, Western Australia
2004 “New Mood” Kings Art Gallery, Perth, Western Australia
2003 “New Works” Gadfly Gallery, Dalkeith, Western Australia

Selected Joint/Group Exhibitions
2024 Group Exhibition – “Abstraction Unveiled” – Wentworth Galleries, Sydney Australia
2022 Group Exhibition -“Director’s Choice” – Gallows Gallery, Perth Western Australia
2022 Group Exhibition -“Hello-Goodbye” – Pearl St. Gallery, Cossack Western Australia
2021 Group Exhibition -“Palette” – Juniper Galleries, Darlington, Western Australia
2021 Group Exhibition -“Journey” – The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2020 Group Exhibition -“ART CAPITAL” – Grand Palais, Paris France
2019 Group Exhibition – “The Illusion of Reality”, Galleria De Marchi Bologna, Italy
2018 Joint Exhibition – “A Christmas Feast” Gallows Gallery, Perth Western Australia
2018 Group Exhibition -“Summer Days” The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2018 Group Exhibition -“Biennal Lluit Art 2018” Valencia, Spain
2017 Group Exhibition -“Red 2017” Gallery 25N, New York, USA
2017 Group Exhibition -“Unique Realities” Madrid, Spain
2017 Group Exhibition -“Le Sm’Art” Contemporary Art Fair, Aix-en-Provence, France
2015 Group Exhibition -“Summer Exhibition” The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2014 Group Exhibition -“Christmas Exhibition”, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2013 Group Exhibition -”Ultra Funk”, Studio 281 Gallery Maylands, Western Australia
2013 Group Exhibition -”Variations”, Galleria de’ Marchi Bologna, Italy
2013 Group Exhibition -”Spring Exhibition”, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2013 Group Exhibition -”Little Treasures” Galleria de’ Marchi Bologna, Italy
2012 Group Exhibition -”Christmas Exhibition” The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2011 Group Exhibition -”August ’11 Exhibition” Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2010 Group Exhibition -Cossack Art Awards Broome, Western Australia
2010 Joint Exhibition -”Soul” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah, Western Australia
2010 Group Exhibition -“March 2010 Exhibition’’ Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2009 Group Exhibition -“Art Sydney ’09”, The Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
2009 Group Exhibition -“August ’09 Exhibition” Manyung Gallery, Melbourne
2009 Group Exhibition -“Hilton Adelaide Selection”, Greenhill Galleries, South Australia
2009 Group Exhibition -Hopeinen Sivellin Galleria Helsinki, Finland
2008 Group Exhibition -“Art in Mind”, The Bricklane Gallery, London
2008 Group Exhibition -“Tiramisu”, Fad Gallery Melbourne, Australia
2008 Group Exhibition -“Abstract Elements” Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe, WA
2007 Group Exhibition -Con.ceit’ 07 Corangamarah Art Prize, Victoria, (by Invitation)
2006 Group Exhibition -“Little Tempters” Artworks Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland
2006 Group Exhibition -Greenhill Galleries Adelaide, South Australia
2006 Group Exhibition -“Inspired Collective” ARQ Artworks, Osborne Park, WA
2006 Joint Exhibition -“Lush” Fusion Fine Arts, Mandurah Ocean Marina, WA
2005 Joint Exhibition -Borgia Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
2005 Group Exhibition -Agora Gallery SoHo, New York, USA
2004 Group Exhibition -“Mt Lawley the Journey.” Gallery 360 Mt. Lawley
2003 Joint Exhibition -Gadfly Gallery Dalkeith, Western Australia
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Commissions
The Star, Casino VIP Lounge Sydney
Frank Digital Marketing, Sydney
Muse Ten, San Francisco, USA
Perth Oncology, Subiaco, Western Australia
Cliffs Asia-Pacific, Perth
Skanska Construction, Sweden
Geisha Bar, Northbridge, Perth
Statton on Murray Apartments, Perth
Coca-Cola, Perth
Crisp Civitella Smith Lawyers, Perth
ANZ Bank Head Office, Perth
Shearman’s Strategic Communication, Northbridge, Perth
Loretta Carbray Interior Decorator, Hobart
Kings Perth Hotel, Perth
City OF Stirling Municipal Offices, Western Australia
Peter Fletcher Realty, Victoria Park,Western Australia
Azure Capital Lawyers, Perth
Clue Design web design & development, South Perth
Starlight Publicity, Perth
Pineview Lifestyle Village, Tapping, Western Australia
Heart Foundation, Western Australia
Scoop Magazine, Western Australia
Lauriston Girls School, Melbourne
Joondalup Health Campus, Western Australia
Summit Homes, Western Australia
NSC Corporate Consultants, Perth
Burrup Fertilizers Pty Ltd, Western Australia
MI Constructions, Western Australia
Odin Road Chiropractic Centre Western Australia
Glen O’Brien Real Estate, Fremantle, Western Australia
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Western Australia
Surround Sounds, Nedlands, Western Australia
Whale + Ale Pub, Western Australia
Murchison Metals, West Perth
Mirvac Group, Perth
Don Russell Homes
Whirlpool (West Australia) Pty Ltd
CKA Risk Solutions Pty Ltd

Media
• Access Channel 31 “Eye On Perth” July, 2002
• Xpress Magazine, “Eye For Arts” April, 2002
• Postcards W.A. July, 2004
• The Sunday Times “STM” Aug, 2004
• The Sunday Times Home Section Oct, 2004
• Scoop Magazine Sept, 2004
• Insite Magazine Nov, 2004
• Australian House & Garden Nov, 2004
• P+L Magazine Mar, 2005
• Zebra Magazine Jan, 2005
• Homes & Living Western Australia Jan, 2005
• 7 Network “My Restaurant Rules” Mar, 2005
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• ArtisSpectrum Magazine, USA May, 2005
• Qantas In Flight Magazine May, 2005
• The West Australian Newspaper “Today” July, 2005
• The Sunday Times, “Prestige Property” Oct, 2005
• Instyle Custom Homes Magazine Oct, 2005
• Insite Homes Design & Art Magazine Dec, 2005
• The Sunday Times “STM”, Celebri-Art” Jan, 2006
• The Sunday Times, “Prestige Property” Feb, 2006
• X-Press Magazine, Celebri-Art April, 2006
• Radio Mix 94.5 FM Morning Crew Mar, 2006
• The Sunday Times STM magazine “Mainy Hits The Canvas” May, 2006
• The Sunday Times STM magazine “Deckchair Auction” June, 2006
• Artist Chronicle WA July, 2006
• Western Suburbs Weekly “Work Of Art” Aug, 2006
• Stockholm City Newspaper “Ambienza” Aug, 2006
• Kultur 1 magazine, Stockholm Aug, 2006
• WA Homes & Living Magazine “Art Edition” Spring 2006 Sept, 2006
• The West Australian Newspaper “ART” by Debbie Guest Sept, 2006
• Radio 6PR Di Bauwens “Out And About In Perth” Sept, 2006
• X-Press Magazine “Eye 4 Arts” Oct, 2006
• The Sunday Times, Home Magazine “Smart Home” Jan, 2007
• Scoop Magazine June, 2007
• Radio RTR FM 92.1 Morning Magazine, The Arts Aug, 2007
• Southern Gazette Arts & Lifestyle “Brighter future for WA Art Oct, 2007
• Australian Art Collector Nov, 2007
• Box Magazine Australia, 18 Autumn Edition March, 2008
• INSITE 22 spring edition “Let there be light.” Sept, 2009
• Australian Art Collector Special 50th Edition Oct-Dec, 2009
• Art Gallery Guide Australia Nov, 2009
• Scoop Art and Homes Spring Edition Sept, 2011
• Australian Art Collector Summer Edition Nov, 2013
• Issue #11 of Rivierart, Montreux Switzerland Feb, 2014
• Gallery Watch, West TV Perth Feb, 2014
• Prestige Property, Western Suburbs Weekly Perth June, 2017

Education
• Curtin University – Creative Arts and Media
Associations
• Member Artsource Western Australia
• Member Artist Universal, Helsinki, Finland
• Tutor, Tresillian Arts Centre, Nedlands Western Australia
• Lecturer, Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, Western Australia
• Lecturer, Claremont School of Art, Western Australia
Awards
• 2005 ‘Art Flight’ -Department of Culture & the Arts W.A. Agora Gallery New York Exhibiton
• 2013 ‘Premio Bertelli Award’, Little Treasures Exhibition, Galleria de’ Marchi Bologna Italy
• 2013 ‘Premio della Critica Award’, Variations Exhibition, Trevisan International Art, Bologna Italy
• 2021 ‘Dampier Art Awards’ – Guest Judge 2021
• 2021 ‘Cossack Art Awards – Artist in Residence’ Western Australia