That Hint of Magic

Brian Robinson’s exhibition That Hint of Magic, showcases a compelling fusion of traditional printmaking with contemporary digital animation. Renowned for his use of linoleum block prints—a technique rooted in his cultural heritage—Robinson sets himself apart by incorporating motifs from pre-contact Melanesian myths alongside unexpected icons from global popular culture. These visual juxtapositions, such as modern firearms nestled among tribal spearheads or a warup drum clad in Coca-Cola branding, underscore the ongoing tension between Indigenous tradition and contemporary life shaped by imperial and media-driven influences. 

Straddling multiple worlds, Robinson’s art is a personal yet universal reflection on cultural hybridity and appropriation. His works offer an intricate layering of visual metaphors that speak to a shared global consciousness—where cartoon characters, video games, cinema, and mythology collide. By blending culturally disparate symbols, he addresses the complexities of identity in a globalised world, pointing to a collective entanglement in cultural exchange, colonisation, and technological saturation. This creative remixing of icons becomes both an aesthetic strategy and a way to question shifting values across cultures. 

A deep influence from Robinson’s childhood fascination with animated television informs both the style and substance of his work. The bold, graphic aesthetic of linocut printing translates seamlessly into animation, allowing Robinson to extend his print-based narratives into time-based digital media. This exhibition includes a major animated projection that brings his static prints to life, enhanced with sound, rhythm, and transitions. The shift from print to screen not only honours his formative experiences with visual storytelling but also reimagines traditional narratives in a medium that reflects the contemporary digital landscape.