Through a kind of mesmerizing lyricism, Robert Kingston’s abstract paintings drawn the viewer deep into their expansive spaces. The artist works improvisationally, like a jazz musician, beginning his compositions with broad gestural marks that he later edits and refines. With their calligraphic and graffito-like elements, the final works are broadly reminiscent of both Abstract Expressionism in the vein of Cy Twombly and the prehistoric cave paintings of Northern France.

//CV//

b. 1955, Sumatra, Indonesia, resides in Altadena, CA

EDUCATION
1988 M.F.A., Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, CA
1986 B.F.A., California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Buoyant, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2016 Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2014 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2013 Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
Randall Scott Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2009 Randall Scott Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2008 Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007 Ruth Bachofner Gallery Santa Monica, CA
Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2006 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2003 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2002 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2000 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1999 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1996 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1994 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1993 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1991 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1990 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1988 East Gallery, Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, CA
1987 DA Gallery, Pomona, CA

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009 White, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2008 Four Abstract Painters, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2007 Out of Line, California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
2005 Out of Line, Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, CA
2004 Abstract Los Angeles, curated by Andi Couwenberg, Gensler, San Francisco, CA
Los Angeles Abstract, curated by Andi Couwenberg, Soho Myriad, Atlanta, GA
Dialogue: Abstract, curated by Gayle Ruskin-White, Space, New York, NY
Continental Divide; curated by Mark Zimmermann, Planet Thailand, Brooklyn, NY
Abstractions - Five Gallery Artists, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2002 New Mid-Century, Contemporary Interpretations of Organic & Geometric Abstraction,New Urban Art, Phoenix, AZ
(two person exhibition)
Conspiracy II, New Paintings, L.I.C.K..Ltd. Fine Art, Long Island City, NY
2000 The Significant Pursuit, Smack Mellon Studios, Brooklyn, NY
1998 A Slice of Apple, A Cross Section of Abstract Paintings From New York, Curated by Robert Kingston, Ruth Bachofner Gallery,
Santa Monica, CA
Contemporary Art Works, Antelope Valley College Art Gallery, Lancaster, CA
1997 Recurrence, Gallery Korea, New York, NY
1996 Formal Abstraction / New York, Curated by Robert Kingston, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
A Salon, Room, New York, NY
Pattern and Relief, Smack Melon Studio, Brooklyn, NY
1994 East - West, E. S. VanDam, New York City, NY
Accrochage, TennisportArts, Long Island City, New York
Credo, (curated by John O'Brien) Brand Library, Glendale, CA
1993 polyABSTRACT, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
Galerie Behemot, Prague, Czech Republic
1992 TBA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
World News, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton, CA
1991 World News, Onyx Cafe, Los Angeles and Beyond Baroque, Venice, CA
1990 Dialogue/Prague/Los Angeles: Monotypes, Arroyo Arts, Los Angeles CA
Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, CA
Spokane Art School Center for the Visual Arts, Spokane, WA
Timeless Impressions, The Art Works, Riverside, CA
1989 Recent Paintings, East and West Galleries, Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, CA
Variations Los Angeles: The Form, Group Show, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1989 Prague/Los Angeles Exchange Show, Prague, Czechoslavakia
1988 A Downtown Art Odyssey, Gallery at the Plaza, Security Pacific Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Eight Artists, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA
Visual Exchange, Harris Gallery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
1987 Artists for the Homeless, SPARC Gallery, Venice, CA
Salon des Independents, Richard Bennett Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Second Fall, East Gallery, Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, CA
Fringe Festival, Hinshaw Gallery, Pitzer College Claremont, CA
Ten Year Anniversary Exhibit, Century Gallery, Sylmar, CA
1986 DA Collage Show, DA Gallery, Pomona, CA
EarlyNeoPostism, West Gallery, Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, CA
Fresh Paint, Gallery C, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
1985 Group Show, Brooks Street Gallery, Venice, CA
1984 Selected Works, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

PUBLICATIONS
Cullum, Jerry, “Sensuous Abstracts Full of Energy”, The Atlanta Journal – Constitution, August 29, 2004
Rose, Joshua, “Lurking Below The Surface - New Paintings By Robert Kingston,” Shade, November & December, 2002
Frank, Peter, “Art Pick of The Week”, L.A. Weekly, March 7, 2002
Zimmermann, Mark, “The Stillness of Painting, Robert Kingston and His Contemporaries,”
PAJ, A Journal of Performance and Art, September 2001
Irwin, Oliver, Artweek, March, 1999
“Best Bet”, Los Angeles Times, January, 1999
“Continuing and Upcoming”, Art Scene, October 1996
New American Paintings, catalogue of the thirteenth open studios press competition, December, 1997
Butler, Brian, “The Acceptance of History, the Building of Hope”, Visions, Summer 1992
Barrie, Lita, “A Memory Lost in Time”, Artweek, October 1991
Brumer, Andy, L.A. Style, September 1991
Butler, Brian, Artweek, September 1989
Clarke, Jr., Orville O., Artscene, June 1990
Clarke, Jr., Orville O., Southern California Home & Garden Holiday, 1990.
Frank, Peter, “From Main to Santa Fe: A Downtown Art Odyssey”, L.A. Weekly, September, 1989
Frank, Peter, “Pick of the Week”, L.A. Weekly, Calendar, June 1990
Geer, Suvan, Los Angeles Times, June 5, 1990
Melrod, George, “Openings”, Art & Antiques, September 1996
Simcoe, Duncan, Artweek, February 22, 1990
Welzenbach, Michael, “From Main to Santa Fe”, Artscene, October, 1988