Robin a.k.a. Nobirs, born in The Hague, is a Rotterdam-based (tattoo-)artist. Graduating from the Willem De Kooning Academy as an illustrator in 2018, he immediately was able to make a living as an artist. His expressions come in various methods, such as paintings, sculptures, and tattoos. Time for a studio visit and to get to know him a little better.
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Woei: The first impression that I experience is that it is cheerful and bright when viewing your work. Does the use of vivid colors always have been a part of your style?
Nobirs: The color use of my work depends on the subject. When I am researching a topic or theme, I always try to express the feeling that comes with it.
In 2016 I made a series of paintings and an installation based upon the current lifestyle of young criminals in the Netherlands. This theme tells an entirely different story than my recent works, where I explore the image of funfairs.
I look for subjects that are typical for my work; from there out, the use of color is created.
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For some years now, you also have been tattooing. Is your approach to this different than when it comes to your other artistic expressions?
The context of tattooing is entirely different compared to my artworks. When creating art, I always thrive on externalizing my personal view on the used topic. It gives my work more perspective on who I am.
By creating paintings and sculptures that reason with each other, I search for imperfections and humor. With this, the viewer is challenged by reflecting what it says about itself.
Tattoo-clients come to me because they know my style. I Like to compare it with being a musician; they know my songs, my albums, my video clips, and so on — work I put in all the effort to express my emotions. When a client comes to me, it feels a bit like creating a song together, where both of us envision what the outcome should be. They decide what the theme of the song is, where it should be released. But all the other aspects are my responsibilities. It is the most significant difference for me when it comes to my work and tattoo.
It does make it more challenging for me because it gives me other perspectives on how I work. However, the main focus is that it should be fun doing it, which is a significant factor in delivering a better result.
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It is so exciting to see you progressing through your work as you keep looking for ways for self-expression. With that stated, is there anything you’d like to share about recent projects or any upcoming shows?
Recently I got myself two kittens who demand a lot of attention. They have become my best friends, and I try to spend as much time with them as possible.
Besides that, I currently don't have an exhibition coming up. I did realize last weekend that I would love to try performance art. I would love to perform as an Italian 80's singer at a party like Gigi D'agostino, with a flashy sun-glasses, and some background dancers. I was once at a live show from Giorgio Moroder, and I can only wish that when I am 80 years old, are driven by passion. It made so much impact on me.
No matter the medium, as long as it out of love for doing it. There are so many things we can choose to do, so why constrain yourself?
I predict it to be boring, when one day, it all comes together perfectly. Maybe I hope it doesn't go that way and that the resulting failure will be perfect for a new exhibition!
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"The main focus is that it should be fun doing it, which is a significant factor in delivering a better result."
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Photography: David Spanish
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