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Robin Klassnik

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Robin Klassnik
OBE
Born
Andre Robin Klassnik

(1947-01-28) 28 January 1947 (age 79)
Johannesburg, Union of South Africa
CitizenshipBritish (from 1963)
Education
Occupations
OrganisationMatt's Gallery
Spouse
Kathryn Halton
​
(m. 1979)​
AwardsOBE, 2014

Andre Robin Klassnik OBE (born 28 January 1947) is a South African-born British artist, gallerist and educator, known for founding Matt's Gallery.[1][2][3][4]

Early life and education

[edit]

Klassnik was born Andre Robin Klassnik on 28 January 1947 in Johannesburg, Union of South Africa (present-day South Africa) to an exiled Lithuanian-Jewish family.[1] Settling in London in 1960, Klassnik later studied at the Hornsey College of Art from 1963 to 1965.[1] During 1965 to 1968, Klassnik studied at Leicester College of Art.[1]

Career

[edit]

Following graduation Klassnik returned to London where he took up a Space studio at St Katharine Docks. During this time, Klassnik’s practice moved from painting to sculpture, 8mm film and photography.[5] Klassnik’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at venues including the ICA, Whitechapel Art Gallery, and the Paris Biennale.[6] Notable projects of Klassnik’s include his collaboration Five Pheromones: The Incomplete Documentation with Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Tom Clark.[7]

In 1971, Klassnik moved studios to Martello Street, London Fields, where he opened Matt's Gallery, in 1979. Now located at Webster Road,[clarification needed][6] Matt's Gallery has been described as ‘the most heroic art space in London’[8] and 'a little utopia'.[9] The gallery represents twenty five artists, including Susan Hiller; Imogen Stidworthy, Nathaniel Mellors, Willie Doherty and Mike Nelson.[10]

Teaching

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Klassnik has taught at a variety of institutions throughout his career including at the London College of Printing; Goldsmiths; Camberwell College of Arts; Chelsea College of Arts;[3] the Royal College of Art;[11] Slade School of Fine Art; University of Brighton; Northumbria University; University of Reading; Newcastle University; Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art; Valands Konsthogskola, Sweden;[12] and Statens Kunstakademi, Oslo. He was also a visiting professor at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Head of Complementary Studies at Byam Shaw School of Art.[13]

Awards

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In 1986, Klassnik was commended by the Turner Prize for his contributions to contemporary art.[14] In 1994, Klassnik was shortlisted for the Prudential/Arts Council Award for an individual contribution to innovation and creativity in the arts.[6] In 2014, Klassnik was awarded an OBE for services to the visual arts.[15]

Personal life

[edit]

Klassnik obtained British citizen in 1963.[1] In 1979, Klassnik married Kathryn Halton.[4]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Klassnik, Robinnik". Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 31 October 2011. doi:10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.B00099172. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  2. ↑ McNay, Michael (10 April 2019). "David Troostwyk obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  3. 1 2 Dorment, Richard (27 June 2006). "Caught in a labyrinth of ideas". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Andre R Klassnik and Kathryn L Halton". England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916–2005 [database online]. 13 (Q4). General Register Office: 0993. 1979.
  5. ↑ "everything talks with Robin Klassnik". bak.spc.org. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 "Matt's Gallery - History of Matt's Gallery". www.mattsgallery.org. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  7. ↑ mattsgallery (27 March 2013). "Boar Mate". Matt's Gallery Archive. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  8. ↑ Januszczak, Waldemar (17 May 2009). "Give credit to the crunch". Sunday Times.
  9. ↑ Jones, Jonathan (3 March 2009). "Jonathan Jones: Matt's Gallery: a real friend to art". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Making SPACE: Artist-Led Initiatives Now". Whitechapel Gallery. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "Matt's Gallery - Matt's Gallery Education 2009". www.mattsgallery.org. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  12. ↑ konstmuseum., Göteborgs (2010). Omskakad spelplan : konsten i Göteborg under 1980- och 1990-talet = A disarranged playing board : art in Gothenburg during the 1980s and 1990s. Arvidsson, Kristoffer., Werner, Jeff, 1961-. Göteborg: Göteborgs Konstmuseum. ISBN 978-9187968709. OCLC 682890479.
  13. ↑ "Matt's Gallery - Present tense". www.mattsgallery.org. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  14. ↑ Tate. "Turner Prize 1986 shortlist: Robin Klassnik". Tate. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "Queen's birthday honours list 2014: OBE". The Guardian. 13 June 2014. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
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