Robert Fielding is a contemporary artist of Pakistani, Afghan, Western Arrernte and Yankunytjatjara descent who lives in Mimili Community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Robert combines strong cultural roots with contemporary views on the tensions between community life and global concerns. He confidently moves across different mediums forming a meeting point for different narratives to come together and connect with each other. His practice includes new media, painting, and traditional craftsmanship.
Fielding’s work is rooted in his personal experience of reclaiming culture as a son of the Stolen Generation. He has spent extended periods of time connecting with Australia’s major cultural institutions, whilst concurrently learning from his Elders on the APY Lands. This personal history brings a uniquely potent perspective to his work, which offers a reminder that many cultural practices are stronger than ever today, whilst also noticing traditions worn down or destroyed by white intervention. His work is a stern truth-telling and a reconciliatory call for unity simultaneously, constantly bridging perceived opposites, creating new connections and community around him.
Through residencies at Canberra Glassworks (2023) and McClelland Sculpture Park (2023), Robert continues to deepen his relationships with peers throughout Australia, always generously inviting collaboration and co-creation. Robert celebrated his first international solo exhibition at Fondation Opale in Switzerland in late 2018. In 2022 he was featured as part of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and in 2023 presented a major new work as part of The National 4 at Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Robert celebrated his first international solo exhibition at Fondation Opale in Switzerland in late 2018. In 2022 he was featured as part of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. In 2024, Robert held a major survey show of his recently developed print portfolio at Maitland Regional Gallery. He guest lectured the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) as part of the Stuart Black Fellowship, and is the 2025 recipient of the University of South Australia Jeffrey Smart Commission at the Samstag Museum of Art.
Our stories hold all of us together. To create is to tell the stories that live in the land, the stories that flow through our veins. Our creative spirit may be old, but our voice is current, it is strong.
Selected Artworks
Selected exhibitions & ProjectS
Selected ACHIEVEMENTS
2025 Recipient, Jeffrey Smart Commission, University of South Australia
2024 Winner, Bowness Photography Prize, Monash Gallery of Art
2024 Recipient, Stuart Black Fellowship, Victorian College of the Arts
2024 Finalist, Wynne Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales
2024 Finalist, Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales
2024 Finalist, Hadley Art Prize, Hadley Orient Hotel
2021 Winner, Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Art Centre
2019 Winner, Banyule Award for Works on Paper
2017 Winner, NATSIAA - Work on Paper Award, MAGNT
2015 Winner, NATSIAA - Work on Paper Award, MAGNT