05/10/2022 - 07/31/2022

Hicks and Meadows Galleries

Christian Robinson, emerging, millennial, African American illustrator, is passionate about telling stories with pictures.  Born in Hollywood, California, in 1986, he grew up in a small one-bedroom apartment with his brother, two cousins, aunt, and grandmother.  Drawing became a way to make space for himself in a world crowded with loving others.  “We didn’t have a lot growing up, but I at least always had a pencil, paper.  I couldn’t control the circumstances around me, but I could at least, you know, decide what I wanted on that piece of paper, what sort of world I wanted to create.”

Christian’s artwork grew to be a visionary expression of the world as he wished it was.  After studying animation at the California Institute of the Arts and securing an internship at Pixar Animation Studios, a chance meeting at the studio resulted in his first picture book gig based on the characters from the movie Up (2009).  A dedicated artist from childhood, Christian has worked tirelessly to illustrate 17 books in his distinctive, engaging, beautiful cut-paper style.  His many accolades include a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for “Last Stop on Market Street” (2015), as well as numerous starred reviews in prestigious children’s literature publications. He prioritizes depicting all kinds of children in his illustrations: “Picture books especially are many children’s first introduction to the world.  Seeing yourself is almost like a message, it’s saying: you matter, you are visible, and you’re valuable.”

He currently lives in northern California with his rescue greyhound Baldwin and several houseplants.

 

This exhibition was organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accessibility Information

Photo Restriction: Photography allowed in the exhibition (no flash, no tripods)
Touch Restriction: Do not touch artwork (books on pedestals may be handled with care)
Exhibition Language(s): English

Other Notes:
Exhibition galleries are accessible by stairs and elevator.

For questions or more information, please contact: clayton.reuter@tamucc.edu