William Robinson, the celebrated Brisbane-based painter who won the prestigious Archibald Prize twice and became one of Australia's most renowned landscape artists, has died at the age of 89. Robinson passed away Tuesday night at a hospital in Brisbane, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of artistic achievement that spans decades.
Robinson first gained national recognition when he won the Archibald Prize for portraiture in 1987 with his work "Equestrian Self-Portrait." He later claimed the prize a second time, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished portrait artists in Australian history. The Archibald Prize is considered Australia's most important portrait painting competition, making Robinson's dual victories particularly significant.
Beyond his portrait work, Robinson became widely celebrated for his distinctive paintings of southeast Queensland rainforests and northern New South Wales seascapes. His landscape paintings captured the unique beauty of the Australian environment with a style that helped viewers see familiar terrain through fresh eyes. His artistic vision transformed how many people perceived the Australian landscape.
Robinson's work achieved international recognition, with his paintings displayed in major public art galleries across Australia as well as prestigious international venues including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum in London. His piece "The Blue Pools, Springbrook to Beechmont," completed in 2000, exemplified his masterful approach to capturing Australia's natural beauty.
Phillip Bacon, a longtime friend and colleague, praised Robinson as one of Australia's greatest painters. "He had a wonderful life, decades and decades of painting amazing pictures that are so loved by people," Bacon said. "His work has made people look at the Australian landscape through his eyes. The Archibald Prize-winning paintings make people think there's another way to look at portraiture that doesn't have to be dreary old men in grey suits."
Throughout his career, Robinson found deep inspiration in his personal relationships, particularly with his wife Shirley. Although she never formally sat as a portrait subject, Shirley appeared in his work from time to time, representing the profound influence of their relationship on his artistic expression. When Shirley died in 2022, Robinson commemorated her life and their relationship with an exhibition titled "Love in Life and Art," demonstrating how personal connections fueled his creative vision.
Robinson's contributions to Australian art were formally recognized in 2007 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for outstanding achievement and service to the arts. Two years later, in 2009, the William Robinson Gallery was established at Old Government House on Queensland University of Technology's Garden Point campus, providing a permanent showcase for his work and artistic legacy.
The artist developed notable friendships with prominent figures throughout his career, including former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce. After several meetings, Robinson and Dame Quentin formed a close friendship, and he invited her to curate one of his exhibitions in 2015. This collaboration highlighted Robinson's ability to connect with people from all walks of life and his openness to fresh perspectives on his work.
Before becoming a full-time artist, Robinson had a lengthy and successful career teaching art at institutions that later became part of Queensland University of Technology. His influence extended beyond his own artistic practice through his mentorship of countless students who went on to pursue their own artistic careers.
Queensland University of Technology President Professor Margaret Sheil AO expressed her condolences to Robinson's family in an official statement. "It has been one of the highlights of my time as QUT Vice-Chancellor to work with Bill, his late wife Shirley and their family in realizing the vision of the Gallery, and to see it become a treasured place of reflection and inspiration for so many," she said. The William Robinson Gallery continues to serve as a testament to his enduring impact on Australian art and education.
