Big Solo
Last Friday saw the opening of Rob Draper’s Work, Dreams, Wi-Fi at the University of Worcester’s Art House.
I was there to document the opening for Rob who’s been a friend of mine for more than a decade. Over those years I’ve watched the evolution of his career with a mix of awe, excitement and dare I say it, just a hint of envy.
He’s an artist that has managed to stay true to his vision and talent while making work for some truly massive clients, and he’s done so while evolving a personal and recognisable style. He’s done it all through the classic mix of hard work, good decisions, and occasional luck.
He has also retained a remarkable humility that only serves to underline what a nice guy he is, and how deserved his success is.
Work, Dreams, Wi-Fi, is a gallery show that contains hundreds of works both personal and commercial, video installations of his works in progress and a replica of his studio. In the literal sense the show is a retrospective, a retelling of his story punctuated by the evolution of his work.
Yet even with the narrative carrying you through the show it doesn’t feel backward looking, it feels like a snapshot of a process in action and manages to look forward while taking stock of where it’s been.
Here are a few shots from what was a really lovely evening, kudos to Rob and the team from UOW, you can catch Work, Dreams, Wi-Fi at the Art House in Worcester up until the 16th August, (Wednesday to Saturday, 12-4pm ).
I recommend that if you can, you do.
