Conversations with Visual Artists: Bruce Robinson

Abstract

Pressure Points was created by Bruce Robinson, professor emeritus of the Columbus College of Art & Design. Robinson’s works are often borne out of questions he posits about social issues, in this case, elements of violence among young Black men in contemporary American society. In Pressure Points, the artist tackles this issue from two angles: strong-willed racism from society, in the vein of Trayvon Martin, and what Robinson describes as “Black on Black crime,” where Black men commit violence against one another. Robinson tackles these issues with the two Black male figures in Pressure Points, portraying a need for Black men to connect with and support one another as much as possible, given the complexity of contemporary culture. According to Robinson, a few key elements of the work convey his message of unity and community reliance among Black men in the face of violence and hardship in society. For example, the figure in the supine position is intended to be ambiguous to the onlooker, leading Robinson to posit, is it “slipping away or is it being gathered up and caressed and nurtured?” Furthermore, the two figures are integrated into one work to suggest the challenge and importance of Black men connecting with and supporting one another. The yellow ribbons that weave through the sculpture have a dual meaning, says Robinson, representing the police tape found in areas where a person has been shot down by gang violence and the ribbons used as a symbolic measure of remembrance. Visible in the detail image of the sculpture, the anti-violence message is further communicated in the gun tattoo on the arm of the upright figure, bearing the Spanish words “No Mas,” meaning “no more.” Finally, Robinson grapples with nature versus nurture concerning issues that arise among young Black men, particularly with regard to violence in the community and the journey toward supporting one another. He states that his