Clementine Robertson, (b. 1990) is a multidisciplinary artist interweaving performance and ethnobotanical narrative. Constructing her visions in a tactile and playful manner, Robertson’s work is a delicate reminder of our essential nature, within a vast and intricate cosmos. 

Through her work, she reflects how our entwined fragilities lay bare the dependence on ancient cultivars, with which we have danced and sung a long held tune. With the lens of an alchemist, she shows how we might re-evaluate the circular nature of life as a celebration of earth to essence, and in death, only life.

After completing a BA (Hons) at the Edinburgh College of Art, Robertson expanded her comprehension of plant, people and performance interrelationships, spending time with Ylongu elders in Northern Australia and collaborating with traditional Ikat weavers in Cambodia. Her focus has enabled her to work as a researcher and creative director for projects that focus on ecology and performance. 

Robertson’s work has been exhibited at the Godinymayin Xijard River Arts and Culture Centre in Katherine, WA; as part of the Setouchi Triennale, Japan; the Royal Academy, London; by Hermes, Australia and held within the MGC Asian Traditional Textiles Museum in Cambodia. Robertson performed as part of our own Desire and Menace series at ALICE BLACK in 2018. 

On hearing there was a blight threatening the ancient olive groves, I took to the site and let the land dance and sing my movements. The ash of recent fires purifying the land were dotted about the grove. Out came a gentle lament, of joy and pain in the enduring journey of trees that have traditionally sustained a people. 

Mineral and matter, we share the olive’s fate; our entwined fragilities lay bare the dependence on ancient cultivars with which we have danced and sung a long held tune. With the lens of an alchemist we might re-evaluate the circular nature of life as a celebration of earth to essence, and in death, only life.

CLEMENTINE ROBERTSON

artwork

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