Skein Of Orbits

Skein of Orbits features drawings, long exposure photographs and sculptures made from large chunks of optical prism from an unknown lighthouse. These interconnected elements narrate Robbins' long-held interest in the world's available natural energy and the tension between order and chaos. Precise, playful and poetic, the works invite curiosity, contemplation and awareness of Earth and the cosmos.

Robbins' finely tuned mechanical drawing instruments make visible a range of natural planetary forces. His studio works and site specific installations are responsive to the forces of wind, water, sunlight and fermentation. The artist states, “If we look at the the way a planet orbits its star, we see that each year it arrives at a different place because of the gravitational pull of its moons. If it is drawn over thousands of orbits, it becomes like a skein of wool. This concept is the basis of many of my drawing machine/instrument projects.”

Robbins has delivered major commissions and exhibitions including at Bundanon (2025);The National at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sydney; the Loti Smorgan Sculpture Terrace Commission 2021 (MCA) and a permanent outdoor sculpture at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Hobart, 2016.

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