robin murez: resume 2012

ART & SEEKING INTERVIEW 2015

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’ 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’ 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 etherial sensations and explore conceptual beliefs.

Murez works both two and three dimensionally, in a wide range of mediums including bronze, concrete, glass, stone, resin, mosaic, steel, light, paint, earth and digital media. The scale of her work is 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 peep hole box and lifesize topiaries that recreate a curious scene: when live camels strolled the streets of Venice of America.

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 the 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 Chairpersons Choice Award and draws repeat students who never imagined that they might "make an impact and make such cool, huge, moving sculptures."

EDUCATION

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

INTERNATIONAL STUDY

Murez is fluent in French and conversant in Spanish. She attended a public Lycee in France and passed the Baccelauriate Francais during High School. More recently, she was an Invited Artist to Sweden by the Swedish Consulate, sculpted camels in India, studied in the Middle East, lived in South America, and has traveled to many parts of the world.