Originally from Edinburgh Robertson studied at Cumbria and Exeter Colleges of Art and Design 1979-1982. Relocating back to Edinburgh in 1988 Iain was the first Scottish recipient of the Pollock-Krasner foundation Award, New York.
In 1992 the Danish artist Peter Brandes introduced Robertson to Willy Omme Director of Galerie Moderne, Silkeborg, Denmark, the beginning of a significant relationship with the gallery including annual invitation from 1995-2005 to participate in the important PASKE ( Easter) shows, alongside major international artists including, Karel Appel, Asger Jorn George Baselitz, A.R.Penck, Per Kirkeby and Fontana. Relocating to St Ives in 1999 Iain moved into Porthmeor Studios in 2007 sharing Studio 7 with his wife the artist painter, Clare Wardman.
Beginning to work seriously in print 2010 saw the start of continued collaboration with Master Printmaker Kip Gresham and in 2012 Iain was invited to be a selector for the Abstract Critical Newcomers Award at Kings Place Gallery London.
Clare Wardman graduated in Fine Art Painting and Drawing with a B.A. Hons. Degree from Exeter College of Art and Design, Devon in 1982 and gained an MFA Distinction from Falmouth University this year. Clare has been engaged in her visual art practice as a self-employed artist since the 1980’s and is currently based with her husband, abstract painter, Iain Robertson (b. 1955), in the historic complex of studios known as Porthmeor Studios in St Ives, Cornwall. She has exhibited widely, recently making experimental films in collaboration with Robertson and French film maker AlbanRoinard. Their work Aura-Emilia was shortlisted and screened at the Cornwall Film Festival last year. A feature of professional life at Porthmeor Studios revolves around Open Studios events, Clare’s research focus considers architectural ‘weathering’ and surface phenomena through the creation of site-specific and installation projects during these annual, public performances.