Kit Robbins

Instagram: @kitrobbins_art

Website: http://www.longfellowdesign.com

Bio: Kit Robbins is a queer, trans/nonbinary, multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland who focuses primarily on sculptural woodworking and metalworking. Their work often explores themes around their transgender identity, societal perceptions, as well as chronic pain. Their artistic journey began in childhood, learning the craft from their father and grandfather.  Robbins earned a BS in engineering from Cal Poly and worked as a product designer before recognizing their deep need to explore their creativity in a more tactile way, at which point they pivoted to more hands-on work, managing a large wood and metal shop and fabricating architectural details for commercial spaces. This unique background, blending classic woodworking techniques and mechanical engineering skills, informs their ability to create imaginative forms that often blur the lines between sculpture and functional furniture. Their artistic process is instinctive, often allowing the form to evolve spontaneously, influenced by the raw material itself. Their use of biomorphic forms is inspired by the complexities of human identity vs. societal perceptions and the process of transformation. By incorporating organic shapes and fluid lines into their sculptures, they evoke a sense of movement and evolution, inviting viewers to contemplate the fluidity of gender, identity, and self-expression. Robbins's portfolio includes a range of sculptural furniture, lighting fixtures, and other pieces that showcase their understanding of materials and form. They have exhibited and sold their work at various venues and events, including West Coast Craft, Renegade, and West Elm, as well as in Bay Area boutiques and galleries like Therapy and Wild Child.