Art is Human Nature

A series finale to tie it all together...It's time to close, but I hope you enjoyed your time in the gallery.What is art to you?See the artwork for this episode: artbyrobinson.com/episode-10-art-isAll music used is produced by Roosevelth: sound.com/roosevelthFunded by Canada Council for the Arts

“You guys healed me in so many ways.” - My Mom In the final episode before the finale, Alexander speaks with his mother. They walk through the experiences that have led them to this moment, Alexander shares a piece of poetry and they discuss his painting "Momma."See the artwork for this episode: artbyrobinson.com/episode-9-mommaAll music used is produced by Roosevelth: sound.com/roosevelthFunded by Canada Council for the Arts

“Education does not dictate talent.” - Stephanie Small  In this episode, Alexander speaks with Stephanie Small (founder and director of BLACK Taxi - a creative & strategic division of the ad agency Taxi with the program mission of attracting, hiring, and retaining Black talent to lead change.)They discuss the origins of BLACK Taxi as well as the importance of diversity and empowering BIPOC voices in the workplace while also having an open discussion about Alexander's painting “Work Culture.”See the artwork for this episode: artbyrobinson.com/episode-8-work-cultureLearn more about BLACK Taxi: https://www.agency.taxi/blacktaxiAll music used is produced by Roosevelth: sound.com/roosevelthFunded by Canada Council for the Arts

“It feels like protection to prevent yourself from knowing, but really you're preventing yourself from growing.” - Haviah Mighty In this episode, Alexander speaks with Polaris Music Prize recipient and 2022 Juno award winner Haviah Mighty (@haviahmighty). They discuss the difficult but important growth that has come out of the past year, Haviah's single "Protest," her upcoming mixtape "Stock Exchange", and Alexander's "Human Nature" painting.See the artwork for this episode: artbyrobinson.com/episode-7-human-natureFor updates follow at @artbyrobinsonFollow @haviahmightyCheck out Haviah's latest single Flamenco: https://linktr.ee/haviahmightyAll music used is produced by Roosevelth: https://soundcloud.com/roosevelthFunded by Canada Council for the Art

“True authenticity, that's what love is to me.” - Stephanie (@_steph.anya) See the artwork for this episode: artbyrobinson.com/episode-6-at-your-best-you-are-love Subscribe to Stephanie's YouTube channel: youtube.com/stephanya In this episode, Alexander speaks with Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile (licensed associate marriage & family therapist). Stephanie shares some of the biggest struggles her clients have faced while also having an open discussion with Alexander about relationships and this episode's painting, "At Your Best (You Are Love).” All music used is produced by Roosevelth: soundcloud.com/roosevelth Funded by Canada Council for the Arts

“Is it the sadness or the ashiness?” - Marlon Palmer (@thatdudemcfly)  See the artwork for this episode: artbyrobinson.com/episode-5-ashy-seasonal-depression Check out Marlon's podcast Extra Gravy: https://linktr.ee/extragravyshow In this episode, Alexander speaks with Marlon Palmer (@thatdudemcfly). They discuss original thought, comedy, have some good laughs, and discuss Alexander's painting, "Ashy Seasonal Depression." All music used is produced by Roosevelth: soundcloud.com/roosevelth Funded by Canada Council for the Arts

“In therapy, we cry, yes, but we also laugh together...” - Nicole Franklin (@livefreecs) See the artwork for this episode: https://www.artbyrobinson.com/episode-4-tetris-self-careDonate to the Black Mental Health Fund: https://gofund.me/6809e734For part 2 of Tetris/Self-Care, Alexander speaks with Nicole Franklin (registered social worker). Building on the topics discussed in part 1, they get into the many common and uncommon forms of self-care and therapy that can be effective for a wider range of individuals. All music used is produced by Roosevelth: https://soundcloud.com/roosevelth Funded by Canada Council for the Arts

“Each of us is playing our own unique game of Tetris.” - Alexander Robinson See the artwork for this episode: https://www.artbyrobinson.com/episode-3-tetris-self-careCheck out Megan's non-profit organization: https://www.twentytwentyarts.com/In this episode, Alexander speaks with Megan Kee (mental health advocate and founder of @twentytwentyarts) as she gives her interpretation of his painting "Tetris/Self-care" and dives into some of the topics that inspired the artwork like mental health and self-care.All music used is produced by Roosevelth: https://soundcloud.com/roosevelthFunded by Canada Council for the Arts

“I think that there are a lot of things that are a part of activism that don't always get categorized as such.” - Robyn Maynard (@policingblack)  See the artwork for this episode: https://www.artbyrobinson.com/episode-2-matching-descriptions Robyn Maynard and Pascale Diverlus' Political Education Platform: https://www.buildingtheworldwewant.com/ For this episode, Alexander speaks with Robyn Maynard (award-winning author and activist) as she brilliantly covers topics like racial profiling, police brutality, and overall state violence that is enacted against Black lives while also sharing her interpretation of his painting titled “Matching Descriptions.” All music used is produced by Roosevelth: https://soundcloud.com/roosevelth Funded by Canada Council for the Arts

"The flowers that are dim or the ones that are falling, we end up asking what happened to them?"  - Erick Bonilla See the artwork for this episode: https://www.artbyrobinson.com/episode-1-gardenThe artwork for the first episode of the podcast is titled 'Garden.' It is a painting based on Alexander's youth and teenage years. With this being the case, the experts for this episode are Roosevelth and Erick Bonilla who are 2 of his best friends that he's known for over 15 years. The 3 of them discuss the artwork and get into a lot of the critical moments of influence that brought them to where they are now.See the artwork: https://www.artbyrobinson.com/episode-1-gardenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyrobinson/All music used is produced by Roosevelth: https://soundcloud.com/roosevelthFunded by Canada Council for the Arts

My name is Alexander Robinson and I am a visual artist who decided to create a podcast called Art is Human Nature where I plan to redefine what an arts education can be. As an artist, whenever there's a topic that interests me, I make a painting about it, but lately, I've been wanting to learn more about the topics that inspire my art; I want to redefine what an arts education can be. So you may be wondering how do I plan on doing that? Well for each episode, I'll be talking with someone who knows a lot about the ideas that inspire my art and I'll also be sharing my artwork with them. If I make a painting inspired by the concept of love, I'll be speaking with a marriage therapist. If I make a painting inspired by comedy, I'll speak with a comedian. You get the idea. There's going to be conversations about things like love, therapy, and activism and there's going to be a lot of cool art too, so if you are interested in taking this journey with me, feel free to subscribe and follow the Art is Human Nature podcast. And finally, if you'd like to see the artwork shared in each episode make sure you visit artbyrobinson {.com} Music produced by Roosevelth