Romeo Robinson

"Embrace the Flow" portrait, mixed media, collage, texture

2025

"As an African-American artist in today’s world, I embody the vast differences found in our collective backgrounds. I view them as cultural assets. We are always self discovering and these self discoveries take us in surprising directions. We must gain strength from what we learn from each other as well as listen to that persistent, ever present, intuitive self. The connection of one’s own rich heritage and person growth will travel into the inevitable and critical connection between African Americans and Africa. These connections are rich and very important. They Exist! My work, I hope, will serve as a creative connection between the African diaspora and western culture. It is this connection that cause my creative forces to react." Janice Frame...

"I Stand Before You As Myself" is striking portrait that centers on identity, presence, and self-possession. The subject confronts the viewer directly, their gaze steady and unflinch...

"Unapologetically Me" depicts a portrait of a young person holding who is looking straight at the viewer. Their eyes have a serene expression. The subject has dreaded hair, a colorfu...

"Bliss in Bloom" is a profile portrait of an elegant and powerful woman in a headscarf adorned with strings of beads. Vibrant flowers crown her head and fall gently along the edges o...

You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you. Painting Ships in a well-protected tube from Nige...

This precious work that is dedicated to Long’s first wife, Connie, who passed away from cancer, is an acrylic painting on canvas encapsulated in a custom, hand-made, plaster frame - characteristic of many classic Long works... Bert L. Long Jr., was self-taught artist, was born in 1940 in Texas, grew up the Houston’s historic Fifth Ward and received his formal education from UCLA. Following a career as a successful master chef, Long decided to devote himself entirely to art in the late 1970’s. He began to explore folk art and assemblage to create a unique body of work, attracting the attention of Jim Harithas, then Director of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and artists John Alexander, Salvatore Scarpitta and James Surls. His life spanned an era of radical change in the American social climate, the influence of which can be seen clearly in his work. Long’s paintings and sculptures incorporate a high level of skill and sophisticated knowledge of art history, along with complex philosophical and social issues.  Long describes the philosophy behind his work as "a quest to help people diagnose their inner self," believing his art to be "the vehicle to help facilitate the process." “As artists we have the obligation to provide the world with art which communicates as truth. I believe that art has the power to heal our souls of their afflictions. I try to create art which helps to diagnose the prevalent conditions within our societies, hopefully providing an insightfulness which will help us all become brothers and sisters united in equality and compassion”                                       - Bert L. Long, Jr. The late Peter Marzio, former Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, said of Bert Long during the major retrospective of Long’s work at the museum: “Bert Long does not avert his gaze from that which is painful, but as [his artworks] testify, he also brings a spirit of joy and redemption to his art. We can all learn from this great artist.” Over Long’s 33-year career as a painter, sculptor, and photographer, he had several solo exhibitions at respected museums and was awarded many significant awards including the National Endowment for the Arts Grant in 1987 and the prestigious international Prix de Rome fellowship in 1990. Other notable awards of Long’s include the Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts Artist of the Year Award in 2009, the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Assistance Grant in 1997, the Houston Art League Texas Artist of the Year in 1990, the NEA Visual Artists Fellowship Grant, 1987 and the Bemis Foundation Residency in 1998. His work can be seen in over 100 private and public collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, the El Paso Museum of Art, and the Instituto de Bachillerato in Spain. With a recent solo exhibition at the Houston Museum of African American Culture and an exhibition overseas which is pending featuring his work, plus interest from several national museums, Bert L. Long Jr. continues to be recognized as an important African American artist throughout Texas, nationally and internationally. Bert L. Long, Jr. "Dear" 1989 Acrylic on Canvas with Painted Plaster Frame...

"We are all equal in the fact that we are all different." These poignant words serve as the foundation of "Harmonious (Mixed Feeling)." The artwork beautifully captures the essence of diversity by presenting two women, each with their own distinct features, cultural backgrounds, and experiences. The artist's skillful portrayal of these differences reminds us that our individuality is a cause for celebration, as it contributes to the vibrant tapestry of human existence. "We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same." This powerful statement challenges the notion of uniformity and emphasizes the beauty of our unique identities. In "Harmonious (Mixed Feeling)," the smiles shared by the two women symbolize a universal language of joy and happiness. Regardless of our disparities, the human capacity to experience and express emotions unites us on a profound level. It is in these shared emotions that we find common ground and build bridges of understanding. "We are united by the reality that all colors and all cultures are distinct & individual." The vibrant colors depicted in the artwork serve as a metaphor for the rich diversity present in our world. Just as a rainbow showcases a spectrum of hues, cultures, and ethnicities contribute to the multifaceted nature of humanity. "Harmonious (Mixed Feeling)" reminds us that it is within the intersections of our varied backgrounds that we can appreciate and learn from one another, fostering a sense of respect and admiration for the tapestry of cultures that surround us. "We are harmonious in the reality that we are all held to this earth by the same gravity." These profound words emphasize the fundamental truth that unites us all: our shared existence on this planet. Regardless of our differences, we are bound by the interdependence of life, breathing the same air and being subject to the same natural laws. The artwork serves as a reminder that, beyond societal constructs and cultural boundaries, we are all interconnected beings, deserving of empathy, compassion, and respect. "I will not blind myself and say that my black brother...

Displaced Beauty challenges the shifting standards of beauty shaped by social media and societal expectations. The figure stands as a quiet resistance, embracing natural African feat...