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Biographical Sketch

Robin Murez is a public artist and instructor based in Los Angeles, California. Her sculptural installations throughout the US have won numerous awards, critical acclaim, and are loved by their communities.

From transforming blighted street corners to creating surprising, contemplative, and beautiful public spaces, Murez's work relates seamlessly, if not unexpectedly, to its community and site, as it inspires sensory experiences and provokes conceptual investigations.

Both abstract and figurative, Murez’s work is often narrative: sculptural installations that set the stage and invite viewers to be transported into the story. Aesthetics and unexpected surprises draw viewers in; they then enjoy ethereal sensations and explore conceptual beliefs.

Murez works both two and three dimensionally, in a wide range of mediums including bronze, concrete, wood, glass, stone, resin, mosaic, steel, light, paint, earth, and digital media. The scale of her work ranges from architectural to intimate and often draws upon the cultural history of individuals and communities.

Select Public Art Commissions

In 2001, Murez created Venice Public Art to re-invigorate and build community in her hometown, Venice, CA. She adds unexpected artistic interactions of its fascinating origins to street corners throughout the neighborhood. There are now a dozen sculptural installations. They range from earthworks to anamorphic street painting to a no-tech peephole box and life-size topiaries that recreate a curious scene: when live camels strolled the streets of Venice of America. Most recently, Murez created a fun, interactive kinetic sculpture that can be ridden: The Venice Flying Carousel.

Interaction, movement and the human form are recurring themes in Murez’ work. Her "Cha Cha Cha" in Napa, CA is kinetic sculpture that inspires passersby to dance. It won the Peoples Choice Award. A similar Dance Step sculpture is to be installed in Houston, TX in 2015.

Murez’ national commission for the Entry Plaza at the Oakland, California Zoo is an art installation adored by children and their families. "It sets the tone of discovery," provides fascinations for kids and a respite for parents.

Murez collaborated on the creation of the phenomenally acclaimed City Museum in St Louis. “It was primarily Bob Cassilly and I, having a blast, making whatever we dreamed up.” City Museum has won numerous awards, including being named one of the “Great Places of the World,” by the Project for Public Places.

Also in St Louis, Murez was awarded a prestigious Artist in Residency from Laumeier Sculpture Park with one year exhibition. She was commissioned by MetroLink and Lacledes Landing for her award winning permanent sculptural installation, “Missouri Tall Grass,” adjacent to the St Louis Arch, and was awarded several commissions in University City, Grand Center, for corporations, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and elsewhere in the region. In intervals, Murez has created a sculptural installation in and around the 350 foot long lily pond in Francis Park. It was voted “Best Public Park,” for her sculptures.

Teaching

Murez teaches Public Art in the Department of Creative Action at Otis College of Art & Design. She inspires students to think big and enables them to realize projects for their community clients. In 2014, she initiated a public art/performance parade class. Annually, it wins the Westchester Chairperson’s Choice Award. Students learn to design and fabricate large, fun, moving sculptural performances that engage the community on socially relevant issues.

Education

Murez received her undergraduate degree in Art History and Anthropology from Oberlin College, her Law Degree from Antioch School of Law, and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington University.

International Study

Murez is fluent in French and conversant in Spanish. She attended a public Lycée in France and passed the Baccalauréat Français during high school. Murez was an invited artist to Sweden by the Swedish Consulate, sculpted camels in Pushkar, India, and sea turtles in Costa Rica.

Honors and Awards

  • Chairperson's Choice Award, Westchester, CA 4th of July Parade, Otis College of Art & Design: "Whose Puppet?" 2014
  • Research Travel Grant, Otis College of Art & Design, "Puppetry in Prague" 2014
  • Chairperson's Choice Award, Westchester, CA 4th of July Parade, Otis College of Art & Design: "We're Surrounded" 2014
  • People's Choice Award, Downtown Napa, "The Cha Cha Cha" 2013
  • Voted: Best Public Park, The Riverfront Times, Francis Park Sculptures 2005
  • Great Places of the World, Project for Public Places, City Museum 2005
  • Award for Craftsmanship, American Institute of Architecture (AIA), City Museum Mosaic Floors 2000
  • Cityscape Award, Downtown St. Louis Inc. for City Museum 2000
  • Downtown Beautification Award, Downtown St. Louis Inc. for “Missouri Tall Grass” 1999
  • Washington Avenue Art Walk, First Prize, “Autobiographical Blades” 1999
  • Artist in Residence, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Glass Pods and Concrete Pods 1998–1999
  • Invited Artist to Sweden, Swedish Government Consulate, "Glass Mobiles" 1998

Public Art

  • Houston, TX, Caldwell Properties "The Cha Cha Cha," stainless steel footprints, arrows, and text installed on sidewalk engage passersby to dance. 5' x 6' x 1/4". Installation pending 2015
  • Downtown Napa, CA Riverfront, "The Cha Cha Cha," stainless steel footprints, arrows, and text installed on sidewalk engage passersby to dance. 2011. Winner: People's Choice Award 2013
  • Venice Public Art (Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Main Street, Venice, CA)
  • "The Camel Snapshot Topiaries," 4 figures: 20' x 10' x 3', 600 Main Street, 2015
  • "The Kinney Tabor House," moiré animation sculpture, steel with acrylic & aluminum, 2015
  • "The Venice Public Art Gallery," steel rack with art supplies, 2015
  • "The Winged Lion," welded steel sculpture, 2014
  • "Coin Toss Thaumatrope," soldered copper coin, 2014
  • "Charlie Chaplin Zoetrope," steel drum installation, 2014
  • "Main St. 1910 Peephole Box," steel diorama installation, 2014
  • "Camel Riders circa 1906," mural installation, 2013
  • "Mr. Abbot Kinney On His Boulevard," mural installation, 2013
  • "Making Waves," painted street intervention, 2013
  • "Mr. Abbot Kinney Reflected," anamorphic sidewalk portrait installation, 2013
  • "Neighborhood Book Park," wood book-sharing box, 2012
  • "Dance Steps," interactive painted walkway installation, 2011
  • "The Venice Labyrinth," community greenspace transformation project, 2010
  • "The Venice Corner Ball Park," earthworks and mosaic installation, 2008 & 2015
  • Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale, Giant Saluki Egyptian dogs sculptural installation at stadium entrance, 2010
  • Springfield, MO Nature Center, Bronze Bugs installation, 2010
  • Webster Elementary School, Bronze Bugs installation, 2009
  • Tilles Park Children’s Playground, Bronze Bugs installation, 2006
  • Francis Park, Phases 1–3, sculptural installations in lily pond environment, 2002–2008. Voted Best Public Park 2005
  • California Arts Council Grant, Sculptural Entryway, Los Angeles, CA, 2007
  • Oakland Zoo, Entry plaza and children’s zoo installations, Oakland, CA, 2005
  • MetroLink Bus, "Bard & Mermaid," public bus artwork, 2001
  • The People Project, ten life-sized fiberglass sculptures commissioned by corporations, 2001
  • University City, "Lion in the Grass," permanent outdoor installation, 2002
  • Mini Lions, cast stone sculptures, 2003
  • Laclede’s Landing, "Missouri Tall Grass," permanent riverfront installation, 1999. Downtown Beautification Award 2000
  • City Museum, collaborative interactive museum development, 1997–2000
  • Cedarhurst Sculpture Park – Mitchell Museum, "Pods," 2000–present
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park, Solo Exhibition "Pods," 1998–2000
  • MetroLink Arts in Transit, "Treasure," suspended glass installation, 1997
  • University City, "Architectural Beads," temporary installation, 1996
  • Commerce Bank, "Trade Beads," temporary installation, 1996

Teaching: Public Art/Creative Action @ Otis College of Art & Design 2011 - present

  • Independance Day Parade, "Whose Puppet?" 16' tall x 4' x 6' paper mache arm golf cart suspending a globe, 20 blue and black paper umbrellas, paper mache and cardboard fish, birds and beach goers. Westchester, CA. Otis College of Art and Design 2015
  • Independance Day Parade, "We're Surrounded. Art for Endangered Non Humans," one rhino golf cart, 10 big heads, 8 shark & whale bikes, 5 dancing condors, 2 honeybee stiltwalkers, one paper lion, logo, banners, swag, music & more. Westchester, CA. Otis College of Art and Design 2014
  • Foundation for the Junior Blind, "Tactile Painting" as Mentor Instructor I guided Otis College of Art & Design students in concept, design & fabrication. Spring 2013
  • Foundation for the Junior Blind, "Sculptural Chimes" and "Lawn Clock" as Mentor Instructor I guided Otis College of Art & Design students in concept, design & fabrication. Spring 2012
  • Los Angeles Unified School District - La Tijera Elementary, "Tiger Topiary" & "Pigmented Concrete River & Paws Prints" as Mentor Instructor I guided Otis College of Art & Design students in concept, design & fabrication. Fall 2011

Education

  • Masters of Fine Arts, Washington University School of Art, St. Louis, MO 1996
  • Juris Doctorate, Antioch School of Law, Washington, DC
  • Bachelor of Arts, Oberlin College, Anthropology/Art History, Oberlin, OH

Artist Residencies

  • Stonington, Maine 2014
  • The Vermont Studio Center 2007
  • Concordia Brickworks 2007

Public Art Consultation and Design

  • Venice Heritage Foundation – Board Member, 2013–present
  • Venice Public Art Forum – Creator, Board Member, 2005–present
  • Venice Neighborhood Council Arts Committee, 2006–2008
  • Venice Trust – Public Art Advisor, 2006–2007
  • Venice Arts Council – Board Member, 2005–2006
  • Clayton Art Commission – Co-Chairperson, 1999; Board Member, 1997–2001
  • MetroLink – Artist Consultant on Site Charette Team, 1999
  • Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts – Conference Speaker, 1999
  • University City Arts & Letters Commission – Public Art Lecturer, 1999
  • Swedish Consulate – Official Invited Artist to Stockholm & Småland, Sweden, 1998
  • Chesterfield Arts Commission – Lecture Panelist (with Joel Shapiro, Jim Burke, Jill McGuire, Sarah Smith), 1997
  • Craft Alliance – Curriculum & Studio Design for Educational Glass Studio, 1996

Exhibitions

  • Robin’s Sculpture Garden, Venice, CA (2001–2013): Transformed abandoned commercial lot into studio, gallery, and performance space with 75-seat amphitheater and aerial rig; hosted public performance events
  • Burning Man (2006–2011): Damselflies (2006–2007), Lollipops (2008), Pete & Tink’s Hideaway (2009, collaboration with Greg Fleishman), Mirabelle (2010), Maleflies (2011)
  • Venice Art Walk (1999–2004): Sculptural installations including blown glass, bronze, concrete, steel, and earthworks, Los Angeles, CA
  • Washington Avenue Art Walk Sculpture Garden, Autobiographical Blades, steel and steel mesh. First Prize, St. Louis, MO, 1999
  • RCGA Offices, Spikes, blown glass and marble sculptures, St. Louis, MO, 1999
  • First Night St. Louis – Performance Artist & Sculptor, 1996–1997
  • CBK Mileau, Glass Blades and Glass Totems, Clayton, MO, 1997–1998
  • City Museum, St. Louis, MO (1997–2000): Human Kaleidoscope, architectural reuse, mosaics, glass blades, sculpture installations, performance, concepts, and design contributions throughout
  • Springfield Art Museum Invitational, Necklace for the Gods, Springfield, IL, 1997
  • R. Duane Reed Gallery, Forest of Glass Blades & Totems, St. Louis, MO, 1997
  • Atlanta Olympics – 342 Peachtree, Olympic Beads, temporary public art sculpture, Atlanta, GA, 1996
  • Glass Art Society International Annual Group Show, Boston, MA, June 1996

Previous Life

  • Attorney, Member of the Bar, 1980–2000
  • Represented professional athletes and produced charitable sporting events i.e., NBA All Star Games & PGA Pro Am Golf Tournaments. Clients included: NBA: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Terry Cummings, Alex English, Ralph Sampson; LPGA: Rosie Jones; Japan LPGA: Becky Herbert; PGA Pro Am: Paul Azinger/Strong Memorial Hospital to 1994
  • United States Commission on Civil Rights - Researcher/Writer 1977-1979

Public Sculpting Skills Include

  • Welding steel & bronze, cast bronze sculpting, chasing & patination, waterjet cutting, gunite concrete sculpting, glass blowing & casting, ceramics, mosaic, paper, fiberglass construction, water features, earthworks, landscape & plant design, sound & lighting, site planning and site drawing.
  • Experience in installation methods, ADA requirements, safety codes and regulations, vandalism, and climate concerns. Collaborations with arts professionals, engineers, contractors, artists, and architects.