About My Work
The Universe is not a random place- though there are those who may disagree. But yet, we often feel as though we are random and nameless, as we live out our lives, in a sometimes disconnected world. A world that often leaves us feeling separated from others by invisible walls of convenience and non-interaction. I, however, feel we are deeply connected to each other in more ways than can be understood, and it is these connections which give us identity, and meaning for our lives. My art explores these human interconnections- these "Life Stories"- and thereby seeks to serve as a reminder that existence is a precious gift not randomly given, and that our lives are more than an accidental set of days.

On Illumination
I work with light to illuminate both the physical and emotional darkness of this world. For me, light is more than a mechanical means of manipulation-it is literally a way to illuminate and explore the dark corners of the human experience. I have been creating mixed media work almost 20 years, but when I began using light to illuminate pieces, I discovered a strong, immediate connection with my audience. Viewers began to more closely approach and interact with my work. As a result, I have been able to more directly examine the under lit and sometimes taboo subjects of life; and using light has also helped to soften the hard edges of difficult questions we all face. After 20 years, I am still unsure as to why the light element makes such a difference, but I have certainly lived long enough to understand the power of illumination.

Biography
Mikel Robinson is a self-trained North Carolina artist who currently resides in Durham. For the past ten years, his work has centered on the use of light and turn-of-the century photography. Heavily influenced by the Outsider art movement, and prominent conceptual artists such as French artist Christian Boltanski, Robinson’s work is often very abstract in nature and hard to classify. Visually, however, Robinson’s art has the nostalgic qualities of days past, combined with the attempt to directly connect with viewers’ emotions. Thematically, his art discusses deeper universal aspects of human existence such as love, longing, and human mortality. Recent exhibitions include the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, NC, ARTSPACE in Raleigh, NC, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, SUNY Brockport, Brockport NY, and Graceland University, Lamoni, IA.