21/03/2024
After many years of dedicated contribution, Robin Mason, Head of Fine Art, will be leaving the Art School in March 2024.
City & Guilds of London Art School’s Board of Trustees extend their deep gratitude to Robin for his excellent leadership of the Fine Art department over many years.
Robin studied Fine Art at Wolverhampton winning the Northern Young Contemporaries. Following his MA in Painting at The Royal College of Art he established a studio in London. He has continued to exhibit nationally and internationally and his work can be found in public, significant private and corporate collections including those of Unilever and the Government Art Collection.
Robin joined City & Guilds of London Art School in 2000 as Lead Painting Tutor before becoming the Head of Fine Art, overseeing the existing BA course and launching the then brand-new MA Fine Art programme. In this time Robin developed the Fine Art courses in to the most challenging and creative courses students can choose to study. Encompassing contemporary and historical skills, theories and materials; art histories; visual and contextual research; entrepreneurship and project management.
Robin has led a team with a distinctly nurturing approach, that has always been appreciated by students for genuinely taking time to support and challenge them in all these areas, enabling students to achieve exceptional results and move on to professional practice or further study with confidence and experience. His and his team’s belief in no ‘house style’; has ensured that with focus and ambition, all Fine Art students can fully explore ways of making and thinking, and develop their own artistic ‘voice’.
Robin leaves the Art School with a legacy of teaching fit for its committed and talented students to continue to produce incredible work and ready for an exciting future.
Words shared by students and alumni:
“Robin, you made City & Guilds of London Art School the beautiful place it is, and we can’t thank you enough. We will all look back with the happiest memories; the projects, the community, the atmosphere. Thank you for also being supportive in my personal decisions while at the school. You made everyone feel so comfortable and cared for, and your gentle and lovely manner is invaluable. Wishing you all the best post C&G – keep making amazing art and being a wonderful person!”
Iris McConnell, Y3 BA (Hons) Fine Art
“Robin, Thank you for everything. I cannot deny the role you have played in my decision to stay in London and give this whole art thing a try. You offered your help, with a special ability to know when it was needed the most. It made all the difference. It was a few years later that I learned, through sharing experiences with other students, that you had managed to do so for all of us. This is a rare unique quality that very few people have, the rest of us can only try. I am certain you will continue to inspire people in your next chapter and I wish you all the best. With loads of gratitude, Natalia”
Natalia Gonzalez Martin, 2017, BA (Hons) Fine Art: Painting
“Robin, I wanted to let you know how grateful I am that during my time at CGLAS you were the Head of Fine Art. Thank you so much for being there for all of us during the challenging times, for all the feedback, guidance and support. I think a lot about how all of my achievements as an artist post-graduation were a direct link to being on the BA course that you have structured so well. Thank you for supporting all of my crazy painting ideas through the years, allowing me to grow and seeing my potential when I didn’t even know it existed. I’m beyond grateful to have been taught and creatively guided by you. I wish you and your family all the best! Thank you so much again.”
Aysha Nagieva, 2021, BA (Hons) Fine Art
Dr Lois Rowe, Principal, would like to thank Robin for his enormous impact on Fine Art, the School and our wider community, and to wish him the very best for his future endeavours.
The whole Art School community thanks Robin for his dedication over many years and wishes him well.
We look forward to seeing his future projects and welcoming him back as our friend to Art School’s events.
City & Guilds of London Art School (CGLAS) will launch recruitment for a new Course Leader in Summer 2024.
Current job opportunities can be viewed HERE