Robert Dilworth

Biography

Professor Dilworth received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1973 and his Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1976. He taught painting, drawing, design, and African American art history at the University of Rhode Island.

Professor Dilworth’s work and academic contributions have been recognized by both the Rhode Island Foundation and the University of Rhode Island Research Council. His art has been reviewed regularly in the New England press as well as in Florida, New York, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas. His work is widely collected, from the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, to the Fairmont Hotel Corporation, San Francisco.

Professor Dilworth is the recipient of the 2014 Rhode Island Council for the Arts Painting Fellowship and Board member of the Newport Art Museum.

Research

“The physical process of painting – its vitality – is integral to my work. My work has transitioned from emotionally charged abstract imagery painted on non-traditional surfaces to figurative paintings on canvas with mixed media. My work gives visual expression to my experiences growing up in the South in a large family rich in lively personas. The work explores in a unique manner memory, myths, folktales and spiritual beliefs.

My working process begins with observations, in-depth research to clarify ideas, making photographs for study purposes and creating a series of drawings to work out compositions prior to painting. My artistic journey is a continuity of ideas and themes expressed through experimentation of media, surfaces and studio techniques. There is always something new that pushes my work forward at the same time I’m constantly returning to old ideas.”

Education

  • B.F.A.,Rhode Island School of Design, 1973
  • M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1976