Robyn Ward’s art transcends borders, moving across multiple continents and cultures, reflecting his ongoing exploration of the world’s complexities. Born in Dublin, raised in Belfast, and now residing in Mexico City, Ward’s work spans a diverse range of mediums, from acrylics and oils to spray paint and ink. His paintings, often blending abstract and hyperrealist elements, address urgent social, political, and environmental issues. His unique narrative explores duality—both personal and global—and engages with themes of vulnerability, perception, and responsibility.
A Journey Shaped by Place and Experience
Ward’s upbringing in Northern Ireland during the civil war shaped much of his worldview. Living in a place where destruction, violence, and societal breakdown were constant realities, Ward’s early experiences imbue his art with an intense emotional charge. The division between Belfast and Dublin, with its sharp contrasts, is a recurring metaphor in his work—highlighting themes of tension, aggression, and hope. These early influences echo through the layers of his paintings, where personal and global conflicts intertwine, allowing him to explore the effects of socio-economic injustice, environmental degradation, and the fractured state of society.
For Ward, art has always been a form of escape. Growing up in a time of chaos, he turned to painting as a way to find peace, and today his creative process remains deeply introspective. His work often evolves over years, with pieces changing dramatically as his own emotions and moods shift. What started as a process of self-expression has now become a journey of collective reflection, where Ward examines how past events continue to shape our world.
A Self-Taught Artist with Global Insights
After spending years creating art under various pseudonyms and participating in street art collectives, Ward made the decision to reveal his true identity in 2015. This shift marked a significant turning point in his career, allowing him to embrace the vulnerability that comes with presenting his work to the world under his own name. Although his earlier anonymity shielded him from public judgment, Ward now feels more empowered as an artist. For him, the satisfaction of completing a piece goes beyond external validation—it is about finding personal fulfillment and achieving artistic growth.
Ward’s art is driven by a need to communicate deeply personal memories and experiences. Having lived in over 15 countries, he draws inspiration from a range of religious, cultural, and social environments, weaving these diverse perspectives into his paintings. His recent work continues to explore themes of nature, feelings, and social issues, with a particular focus on environmental destruction, climate change, and the treatment of animals. Through his art, Ward seeks to foster a sense of responsibility, urging both individuals and society to take action before irreversible damage is done to the planet.
Travel and Movement: Catalysts for Artistic Growth
Travel is an integral part of Ward’s artistic process. It is not just the places he visits, but also the people he encounters that influence his work. Ward’s constant movement—from London to New York to Mexico City—has become a vital source of inspiration. Each new location offers fresh perspectives, not only through its environment but through its sounds, colors, and cultural context. His travels help reset his creative energy, offering him a space to reflect, recharge, and develop new ideas.
Ward believes that personal freedom is key to his creative practice. For him, the ability to move and explore is essential for staying inspired and continuously evolving as an artist. He describes his studio as a dynamic, ever-changing space where ideas flow freely, and creativity thrives. Whether working on large-scale canvases or experimenting with new materials, Ward’s work is constantly evolving, as he seeks to balance the chaos of life with his inner world.
The Influence of Mexico City and the Global Art Scene
Mexico City has become an important base for Ward, providing him with a vibrant art community and ample studio space. The city’s energetic art scene, filled with colorful exhibitions and thought-provoking installations, has influenced his creative process. Although Ward has yet to fully incorporate Mexican themes into his work, he acknowledges the impact the city has had on his perspective. He draws inspiration from artists such as Josef Albers, Jackson Pollock, and Francis Bacon, while also appreciating the works of contemporary Mexican artists and the city’s iconic architecture.
Mexico’s art scene has evolved significantly in recent years, and Ward is both intrigued and inspired by this transformation. He compares the growth of Mexico’s artistic environment to the changes he witnessed in other global hubs like New York and London. While the city’s art scene is flourishing, Ward remains focused on his own artistic journey, continuing to work across various styles and techniques.
Exploring Abstraction and Realism: A Unique Creative Process
Ward’s artistic style is a fusion of abstraction, realism, and street art. His work reflects the influence of abstract expressionism, pop art, and graffiti, with a particular focus on the works of Hieronymus Bosch, Francis Bacon, and Banksy. These artists have shaped his creative approach, particularly in how they engage with raw emotion and distorted imagery. Ward’s own paintings often feature layers of brushstrokes and mixed media, creating textured, vivid works that convey intense emotion.
His creative process involves working on multiple pieces at once, often revisiting and reworking them over a period of months or years. This extended time frame allows him to explore different emotional states and adjust his work as his feelings change. Ward’s abstract works, in particular, are built up in layers, with each layer representing a moment in his life or a specific idea he wishes to convey. The result is a powerful, visually dynamic narrative that reflects both personal and collective experiences.
Social and Environmental Responsibility: The Plastic Nation Series
One of Ward’s most notable series, Plastic Nation, addresses environmental issues, particularly the devastating effects of pollution and the exploitation of animals. In these large-scale paintings, Ward highlights endangered species and the environmental destruction caused by human activity. The series aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for change, urging viewers to recognize the beauty of the natural world and take responsibility for its preservation.
Through his art, Ward calls out the corporations and organizations contributing to environmental degradation, pushing for immediate action. The Plastic Nation series is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and the importance of respecting and protecting the planet for future generations.
Using Cartoons as Messengers of Social Commentary
In addition to his environmental work, Ward’s Once Upon a Time and Society Matters series use cartoon imagery to deliver a deeper social and political message. By juxtaposing playful, familiar characters with serious themes like racism, bigotry, and social inequality, Ward uses humor and irony to highlight the absurdity of these societal issues. His work challenges the viewer to reflect on the state of the world while also recognizing the role of humor and storytelling in communicating complex ideas.
Looking to the Future: Digital Art and NFTs
While Ward’s primary medium is traditional painting, he is not immune to the growing influence of digital art and NFTs. He acknowledges the rise of digital platforms and has begun exploring the possibilities of NFTs, although he remains committed to the tactile process of oil painting. For Ward, the physicality of painting, with its layers and textures, remains an integral part of his creative expression, even as the digital world continues to evolve.
Robyn Ward: A Call for Action and Reflection
Robyn Ward’s art is a powerful tool for social and environmental change. Through his unique blend of abstraction, realism, and street art, he invites viewers to confront the pressing issues of our time, from environmental destruction to social inequality. His work not only reflects his personal experiences but also serves as a call to action, urging us to recognize our responsibilities and take steps toward a better, more sustainable future.
