John Z. Robinson is a New Zealand artist and jeweller. He has lived in Dunedin

Dunedin

Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...

, New Zealand since 1978.

Robinson completed a manufacturing jewellery apprenticeship with Max Wilson in Palmerston North in 1973. From 1978 to 1980, he attended Otago Polytechnic School of Art

Otago Polytechnic

The Otago Polytechnic is a public New Zealand tertiary education institute, centred in Dunedin with campuses throughout the region of Otago including Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown....

 in Dunedin where he was tutored in painting by Walden Tucker and the English-born artist Bernard Holman

Bernard Holman

Bernard Holman was an English-born artist who later emigrated to New Zealand to paint and teach....

. He graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts and returned to complete Honours in 1996.

Robinson has worked as a designer, jeweller, painter, print-maker and sculptor. He is a colourist

Colourist painting

Colourist painting is characterised by the use of intense colour, which becomes the dominant feature of the resultant work of art, more important than its other qualities. This tendency in painting was foreshadowed by French Impressionism in the late 19th century, and came to prominence in the work...

 whose paintings (acrylic) and prints (linocut) are primarily figurative though his prints often focus entirely on words, frequently with punning intent. His paintings tend to be impressionistic, whether they be landscapes and townscapes or portraits.

Robinson's paintings and prints have been exhibited throughout New Zealand and works are included in the collections of the Hocken Library

Hocken Library

The Hocken Library is a research library, historical archive and art gallery based in the New Zealand city of Dunedin...

, the Manawatu Art Gallery, the Rotorua Museum and the Wallace Arts Trust. Robinson was awarded the William Hodges Fellowship and was artist-in-residence at the Southland Museum in Invercargill

Invercargill

Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...

 in 1998. In 2006, the Port Gallery in Port Chalmers

Port Chalmers

Port Chalmers is a suburb and the main port of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, with a population of 3,000. Port Chalmers lies ten kilometres inside Otago Harbour, some 15 kilometres northeast from Dunedin's city centre....

 featured a retrospective of thirty years of his work in a show entitled John Z Robinson. A Survey of Paintings and Prints.

Amongst Robinson's many commissions have been set designs for theatrical productions of Entertaining Mr Sloane, School for Scandal, The Pearl Fishers and Twelfth Night, and book cover designs for Caclin (Lincoln University), Canzona, Eat These Sweet Words: The New Zealand Anthology of Lesbian and Gay Poetry, SPORT 7, and The Journal of New Zealand Literature.

Robinson has exhibited his paintings in Otaru in Japan and in New York and his jewellery has been shown in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, most notably at the Bead International in Athens, Ohio

Athens, Ohio

Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...

 in 2000. From 18 August 2007 until 21 February 2010, his jewellery featured in an exhibition entitled The Scots in New Zealand at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington. It is branded and commonly known as Te Papa and Our Place; "Te Papa Tongarewa" is broadly translatable as "the place of treasures of this land".The museum's principles...

in Wellington.

Robinson's painting and print work featured in two books published in 2003 and 2004 respectively, being Other Men's Flowers. Portraits by John Z. Robinson, which concentrates on close up portraits of men, each paired with a painting of a flower, and Lake Warhola Soup - The Word-Prints of J. Z. Robinson, which focuses entirely on Robinson's punning monochromatic linocuts.

In December 2007, Longacre Press published Parallel Lines: Riding the Central Otago Rail Trail which included paintings of Central Otago by Robinson together with poetry by Annie Villiers.

Three books featuring Robinson’s drawings and paintings were published in 2008 and 2009 – John Z. Robinson’s ‘The Dream of Endymion’, Amy Bock – A Series of Drawings by John Z. Robinson and The Male Figure in the Art of John Z. Robinson.

Robinson's latest book, Red Studio: Forty-Five Prints, was published by Longacre Press in October 2009 and celebrates his print-making career. The forty-five prints, mostly linocuts, were selected from a collection of simple but expressive prints. With an introduction by novelist Laurence Fearnley, the book is an intimate portrait of the artist's development.

1980–1990

Solo exhibitions

• Et Sans Umbrella. Paintings by John Robinson. University of Otago Library, Dunedin, March 1981.
• Have Run Will Travel. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 26 March 1984.
• The Rest of the Moon. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 8–20 March 1986.
• Scene Red. Prints and Paintings by John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 21 April-2 May 1986.
• John Robinson. Prints. Canterbury Society of Arts, Christchurch, 17–29 June 1986.
• John Robinson. Lino Prints. Manawatu Art Gallery, Palmerston North, 25 September-23 November 1986.
• Lino Prints. Rotorua Art Gallery, Rotorua, December 1986-February 1987.
• Bridge and Chorus. Art Inn Gallery, Balclutha, 14 February 1987.
• Exhibition. Thompson House, Levin, 15–22 February 1987.
• John Robinson Exhibition. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 16–27 February 1987.
• Scuba Scuba. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 14–25 March 1988.
• Penny for Your Horse. Several Arts Upstairs Gallery, Christchurch, April 1988.
• John Robinson. New Zealand Consulate General, Rockefeller Centre, New York, United States of America, March–April 1988.
• John Robinson. Paintings 1979-1989. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 27 February-17 March 1989.
• 39 Views of Mt Zion. Lino-Cuts 1979-89. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 1–15 October 1989.
• 39 Views of Mt Zion. Eastern Southland Gallery, Gore, 30 August-10 September 1989.
• Paintings and Prints by John Robinson. University of Otago Staff Club, Dunedin, April–June 1990.
• John Robinson. Recent Paintings. 33 1/3 Gallery, Wellington, 16 June-5 July 1990.

Group exhibitions

• Exhibition. Artists Include Joe L’Estrange, J. Z. Robinson, Nanette McMillan and Joanna Scott. Otago Art School Gallery, Dunedin, 1 August 1980.
• Exhibition by Young Contemporaries. Artists Include Peter Cleverley, Lindsay Crooks, J. Z. Robinson, Joanna Scott and Wayne Seyb. Otago Art Society Incorporated, Dunedin, 11–26 July 1981.
• Sad and Gay. Works Exhibited by Joe L’Estrange, Nanette McMillan, J. Z. Robinson, Joanna Scott and Ginny Tod. Otago Museum Foyer, Dunedin, 18 February-7 March 1982.
• South Otago Art Society Annual Exhibition. Creative Arts Centre, Balclutha, November 1982.
• New Works 83. Artists Include Peter Cleverley, Lindsay Crooks, Joe L’Estrange and J. Z. Robinson. Otago Art Society Incorporated, Dunedin, 3–13 September 1983.
• Paintings and Prints. Sonja van Kerkhoff and John Robinson. Antipodes Gallery, Wellington, 21 April-3 May 1984.
• Four Painters. Joe L’Estrange, Nanette McMillan, John Robinson and Joanna Scott. Otago Museum Foyer, Dunedin, 15–26 April 1985.
• The Mountie Gets His Man. New Paintings by Joe L’Estrange and New Paintings by John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 26 May-7 June 1985.
• Two Dunedin Artists. Eastern Southland Gallery, Gore, 2–11 September 1987.
• John Robinson, John McDougall and Peter Cleverley. Carnegie Centre, Dunedin, 11 September-1 October 1987.
• Masks and Faces. Self Portrait Exhibition. Artists Include Annie Baird, Audrey Bascand, Peter Cleverley, Lindsay Crooks, Di Ffrench, Neil Driver, Lawrence Ewing, Lloyd Godman, Brent Hargreaves, Ivan Hill, Ralph Hotere, Sonja van Kerkhoff, Joe L’Estrange, Shona McFarlane, John Oxborough, Alan Pearson, Shona Rapira-Davies, John Robinson, Eion Stevens, Airini Taylor and Marilyn Webb. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 15–25 August 1988.
• Brent Coutts, Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Art Inn Gallery, Balclutha, 15–28 October 1988.
• Paintings and Prints. Robinson and L’Estrange. Art Inn Gallery, Balclutha, 18 February-1 March 1989.
• Friends of Aigantighe. Artists Include Lindsay Crooks, Margriet Windhausen, John McDougall, Sonja van Kerkhoff, Marion Maguire, John Robinson, Debra Bustin, Paul Van den Berg and Eamon O’Rourke. Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru, 4–19 March 1989.
• Exhibition. Brent Coutts, Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Art Inn Gallery, Balclutha, 13–24 November 1989.
• Eion Stevens and John Robinson. Canterbury Gallery, Christchurch, 5–19 August 1990.
• Foxglove on, Foxglove off. An Exhibition of Work by Airini Taylor, Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 17–28 September 1990.

1991–2000

Solo exhibitions

• A Beard of Roses. 33 1/3 Gallery, Wellington, 18 May-6 June 1991.
• John Robinson. Exhibition. 33 1/3 Gallery, Wellington, 13 December 1992 – 4 March 1993.
• Adelphi by Any Other Name. Paintings and Prints. 33 1/3 Gallery, Wellington, 13 February-4 March 1993.
• John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 30 November-11 December 1993.
• Blue Rata. Warwick Henderson Gallery, Auckland, 15 September-2 October 1993.
• An Exhibition of Paintings and Prints by John Robinson. The Southland Museum and Art Gallery, Invercargill, 16 September 1994.
• Inside On. Milford Gallery, Dunedin, 14–26 November 1994.
• Other Summers: An Exhibition of Paintings and Prints. Art Works Gallery, Wanaka, 19 August 1995.
• New Paintings and Jewellery. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 24 March-12 April 1997.
• John Robinson. Paintings. Jewellery. Dobson Bashford Gallery, Christchurch, 16 July-2 August 1997.
• Invercargill Paintings. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 20 July 1998.
• John Robinson. New Paintings. Dobson Bashford Gallery, Christchurch, 14 April-1 May 1999.

Group exhibitions

• A Vase of Hours. Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 7–21 October 1991.
• Lindsay Crooks and John Robinson. Art Inn Gallery, Balclutha, 14–25 October 1991.
• Let’s Get Visible. Lesbian and Gay Pride Week 92 Art Exhibition. Solutions Gallery, Dunedin, June 1992.
• Cropper and Maasland Contemporary Art Winter Exhibition. Juliet Bowen, Jan Chaffey Prain, Eliza Donald, Jane Evans, Peter Featherston, Patricia France, Suzanne Goldberg, Jean Joyes, Loveday Kingsford, Richard Moorhead, John Papas, John Robinson, Ted Sherwen and Eion Stevens. 7–14 June 1992.
• Four Otago Painters. Lindsay Crooks, Joe L’Estrange, John Robinson and Eion Stevens. Stanley Street Gallery, Auckland, 30 June-18 July 1992.
• Exhibition. Lindsay Crooks, Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Art Inn Gallery, Balclutha, 17–28 August 1992.
• Scratched Taxis. L’Estrange and Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 7–25 September 1992.
• Patricia France, Alistair Galbraith, John Robinson and Marilynn Webb. No. 5 Gallery, Dunedin, 1–17 December 1992.
• Portray Portrait. An Exhibition of Portraiture. Mark Cross, Peter Hackett, Viky Garden, Sean Kerr, Joe L’Estrange, Tom Lowe, Elizabeth Rees, John Robinson and Tracy Skelton. Morgan-Le-Fay Gallery, Auckland, 2–19 March 1993.
• Five Dunedin Painters. Joe L’Estrange, Els Noordhof, John Robinson, Eion Stevens and Marilynn Webb. Still’s Gallery, Timaru, April 1993.
• Still Life. A Group Exhibition. Ella Brewer, Viky Garden, Sean Kerr, Howard Matill, Phillip McIlhagga, Janette McKibbin, Francesca McLaren, Ilsa Posmyk, John Robinson and Roger Staples. Morgan-Le-Fay Gallery, Auckland, 23 August-3 September 1993.
• Sister Cities Art Exhibition 1995. Otaru Art Museum, Otaru, Japan, 22-26 November 1995.
• Kiaora Paora Paul Gauguin in Aoteoroa / NZ. Nigel Brown, Bronwynne Cornish, Judy Darragh, Murray Grimsdale, Patrick Hanly, Paul Hartigan, Paul Jackson, Barry Lett, Lauren Lysaght, Jan Nigro, Gregory O’Brien, Claudia Pond-Eyley, John Pule, Paul Radford, John Robinson, Pauline Thompson, Jeff Thomson, Warren Viscoe and Pamela Wolfe. RKS Art, Auckland, 19–29 August 1995.
• Somewhere Over the Stonewall. Ann Culy, Janet de Wagt, John Robinson and Others. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 17–29 June 1996.
• Spectrum Choir. Featured Artists Include Annie Baird, Bruce Dehnert, Kulvinder Kaur Dhew, Joe L’Estrange, John Robinson, Edward Sakowski, Eion Stevens and Zuna Wright. SBS Gallery, Invercargill, 9–28 July 1996.
• Paintings by Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 19–31 August 1996.
• Rhythm in Colour. Rob Piggott and John Robinson. Otago Art Society Incorporated, Dunedin, 5 April 1997.
• Joe L’Estrange, John Robinson, Eion Stevens. New Paintings. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 9 March-4 April 1998.
• Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, March 1999.
• New Paintings by Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 27 February-18 March 2000.

2001–2010

Solo exhibitions

• Clicketty Clack. Dobson Bashford Gallery, Christchurch, 28 February-17 March 2001.
• Corner Bath and Stuart. Small Paintings and Prints. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 16 October-3 November 2001.
• Other Men’s Flowers. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 1–20 September 2003.
• Lake Warhola Soup. An Exhibition of Word Prints by Dunedin Artist John Z. Robinson. Jason Books, Auckland, 30 July-13 August 2005.
• John Z. Robinson. A Survey of Paintings and Prints. Port Gallery, Port Chalmers, 7 April-27 May 2006.
• John Z. Robinson – Paintings, Drawings and Prints. Red Gallery, Nelson, 5–22 September 2007.
• Amy Bock. A Series of Drawings by John Z. Robinson and The Male Figure in the Art of John Z. Robinson. Moray Gallery, 30 March-2 April 2009.

Group exhibitions

• New Paintings from Joe L’Estrange, John Z. Robinson and Eion Stevens. Moray Gallery, 15 April-4 May 2002.
• North Shore City Art Awards 2002. Mairangi Arts Centre, Auckland, November 2002.
• Trade. 24 Years of St Andrews Street Traders. Ian Bretherton, Ann Culy, Ruth Granger, Harley Howes, Mary McFarlane, Kathryn Madill, Phil Murray and John Z. Robinson. Port Gallery, Port Chalmers, 4–26 April 2003.
• 7 Dunedin Artists. Angela Burns, Janet de Wagt, Ivan Hill, Kathryn Madill, Michael Morley, John Robinson and Robin Swanney-MacPherson. Statements Gallery, Napier, 23 May-14 June 2003.
• Winter in Dunedin. Pride Art Exhibition 2003. The 2nd Annual Pride Dunedin Exhibition of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Art. Pride Dunedin, Dunedin Community Centre, Dunedin, 4–11 July 2003.
• North Shore City Art Awards 2004. Mairangi Arts Centre, Auckland, November 2004.
• Aids in NZ: 20 Years On. An Art Exhibition. Artists Include Fiona Clark, Fergus Collinson, Grant Lingard, Steve Lovett, John Robinson and Jane Zusters. Gallery 291, Christchurch, 14 April-14 May 2005.
• Some New Paintings by Joe L’Estrange and 29 Nudes by John Z. Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, December 2005-January 2006.
• Bonjour Monsieur Holman. Featuring the Work of Angela Burns, Catherine Manchester, Brian Morris, Jillian Porteous, John Z. Robinson and Joanna Scott. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 22 April-26 May 2006.
• Artists Celebrate the Winter Solstice. Artists Include Dugal Armour, Inge Doesburg, Danny Moorwood, John Z. Robinson, Gary Tricker, Jenufa Waiti and Nigel Wilson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, June 2006.
• Two by Seven. Featuring Jan Chaffey, John Coley, Tom Field, Veronika Maser, John Robinson, Emma Velde and Susan Webb. Dobson Bashford Gallery, Christchurch, 17 May-7 June 2006.
• John Z. Robinson and Joe L’Estrange. Red Tussock Gallery, Alexandra, 17 October-4 November 2006.
• John Z. Robinson and Joe L’Estrange. Views of the Central Otago Rail Trail and Our Feline Friends. Red Tussock Gallery, Alexandra, 16 November 2006.
• Caselberg Imprint Featuring the Work of Pauline Bellamy, Manu Berry, Alannah Brown, Katy Buess, Inge Doesburg, Olav Neilsen, Rob Piggot, John Z. Robinson, Lynn Taylor and Robert West. Heritage of Otago and Southland Trust and the Anna and John Caselberg Charitable Trust Community Gallery, Dunedin, 20–29 November 2006.
• Joe L’Estrange and John Z. Robinson. Recent and Rail Trail Paintings. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 2–24 December 2006.
• Small Works Exhibition. Artists Include Pauline Bellamy, Janet de Wagt, Neil Driver, Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson. Red Tussock Gallery, Alexandra, 5–24 December 2006.
• Dunedin Gay and Lesbian Art Exhibition. Artists Include Annie Nevin, Richard Orjis and John Z. Robinson. Dunedin Community Gallery, Dunedin, 21–28 July 2008.
• Exhibition. The Old Chief Post Office, Dunedin. Work by Manu Berry, Claire Beynon, Peter Booth, Katrina Burton, Erin Dellow, Alan Dove, Frank Gordon, Rochelle Liggins, John Z. Robinson, Jo St Baker, Lynn Taylor and Julie Whitefield. Salisbury House Gallery, Dunedin, 4–26 October 2008.
• James Kerr and John Z. Robinson: Paintings and Prints. Red Art Gallery, Nelson, 9–25 October 2009.
• notes from grey city. James Kerr and John Z. Robinson. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 8–23 October 2010.

2011–

Solo exhibitions

• Cooee. Dunedin Fringe Festival, Starewell Stairwell Gallery, Dunedin, 17–27 March 2011.

Group exhibitions

• A Medley of Small Works. Artists Include Stafford Allpress, Philip Butler, Robert Ellis, Charlotte Graham, Jacquelyn Greenbank, William Hayes, Matt Hunt, Alexis Hunter, Angela Lane, Patrick Malone, Jo Mears, Megan Murphy, Lorraine Natusch, Juliet Novena-Sorrell, Ben Pearce, Ian Perrins, Mike Petre, John Robinson, Brydee Rood, Merylyn Tweedie and Peter Wichman. TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, Auckland, 15 June-31 July 2011.
• Men at Work. Gary Collins, Tim Croucher, Peter Dornauf, Rodney Hamel, Paul Hartigan, Paul Judd, Andrew Kennedy, David Lloyd, Chris Meek, Rob Murdoch, Tom Mutch, Richard Onnes, Penoir, John Z. Robinson, Clay Sinclair, Gavin Smith, Michael Smither, Rob Tucker. Greenslade Gallery, Hamilton, 14 July-25 August 2011.
• ...Pause...Touch...Engage. Work by Mark Braunias, Jacqueline Fahey, Stuart Page, John Robinson, Michael Shannon, Philip Trusttum and Kate Walker. TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, Auckland, 30 August-23 October 2011.
• dot it down. Annie Nevin, John Z Robinson, Robert West. Moray Gallery, Dunedin, 4-19 November 2011.

2000–2010

Solo exhibitions

• The ABC of Birdland. A Wearable Alphabet by John Robinson. Lure, Dunedin, 19 August-9 September 2000.
• A to Z of Birdland. An Avian Alphabet. Quoil Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Wellington, 9–28 September 2002.
• John Z. Robinson – A to Z of Dunedin – A Wearable Alphabet. Lure, Dunedin, 1–27 September 2003.
• Table Jewels. An Exhibition of Domestic Silverware by John Z. Robinson. Quoil Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Wellington, 3–22 October 2005.
• Chain. Handmade Chains by John Z Robinson. Quoil Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Wellington, 7–21 November 2007.
• John Z. Robinson: 100s and 1000s. Lure, Dunedin, 1–18 October 2008. (Part of the Otago Festival of Arts, 2008).

Group exhibitions

• Bead International. Athens, Ohio, United States of America, 2000.
• Pin Up. Forty Invited Jewellers at Masterworks Gallery. Masterworks Gallery, Auckland, 13 June-9 July 2000.
• A Noble Piece: Contemporary Jewellery Constructed from Noble Metals and Issues. Jewellers: Brian Adam, Ruth Baird, Penelope Barnhill, Rainer Beneke, Pauline Bern, Barbara Blewman, Trevor Bryon, Joanna Campbell, Chris Charteris, Gwen Christa, Barry Clarke, Octavia Cook, Ann Culy, Jane Dodd, Ilse Erl, Miriam Gribble, Belinda Hager, Stephanie Lambert, David McLeod, Justine Pollock, John Robinson, Blair Smith, Elfie Spiewack, Ray Wade, Anna Wallis, Lisa West and Christina Woods. Lure Works, Dunedin, 3–15 December 2001.
• Vodafone ID Dunedin Jewellery Breakfast. Otago Museum, Dunedin, 11 March 2005.
• Armstrong Prestige Dunedin Jewellery Breakfast. Otago Museum, Dunedin, 9 March 2007.
• The Scots in New Zealand. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, 18 August 2007 – 21 February 2010.
• South Island – Ten Jewellers from the South Island of New Zealand. Jennifer Braithwaite, Chaim Cleavin, Penny Hughes, Lyn Kelly, Victoria McIntosh, Koji Miyazaki, John Z. Robinson, Elfie Spiewack, Rob Upritchard and Kay Van Dyk. Curated by Caroline Billing. Soda and Rhyme Jewellery Design Studio, Adelaide, Australia, 22 January-20 February 2008. (Part of Inside-Out at the 13th Biennial Conference of the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia (JMGA)).
• Armstrong Prestige Dunedin Jewellery Breakfast. Otago Museum, Dunedin, 29 February 2008.
• Red Fever. Featuring New Red Works by Leanne Clayton, Michele Dales, Brian Gartside, John Z. Robinson and Suzanne Tamaki. Pataka – Museum of Arts & Cultures, Porirua, Wellington, May 2009.
• Let's Hear it for the Boys. Maike Barteldres, Warwick Edgington and John Robinson. Quoil Gallery, Wellington, 9–29 July 2010.

1980–1990

• No going back for printmaker. Otago Daily Times, Monday, 4 November 1985, p24.
• Reid, J., Impact in simple shapes. Otago Daily Times, Sunday, 16 March 1986.
• John Robinson. Prints. From 17–29 June 1986. CSA News, The Journal of the Canterbury Society of Arts, No. 128, 1986.
• John Robinson. Quarterly, Manawatu Art Gallery, September–November 1986.
• Earthy works. Feilding Herald, Tuesday, 23 September 1986.
• Tennent, B., Lino prints. The Daily Post, Wednesday, 14 January 1987, p18.
• Tennent, B., Exhibition portrays life of lino artist. Rotorua Daily Post, Wednesday, 4 February 1987, p16.
• Reid, J., Strengths highlighted. Works by John Robinson, John McDougall and Peter Cleverley at the Carnegie Gallery. Otago Daily Times, Monday, 21 September 1987.
• Lucky break for painter. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 28 January 1988.
• Ruhe, Barnaby, New New Zealander Art. Art/World, Vol. 12, No. 6, 18 March-18 April 1988.
• Reid, J., A fresh look at landscapes. Otago Daily Times, Monday, 28 March 1988, p26.
• French, B., Interesting theme provokes responses. Otago Daily Times, August 1988.
• Newsletter. Friends of Aigantighe Art Gallery, February–April 1989, p1.
• Reid, J., Variety heightens response. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 9 March 1989.
• Guest exhibitors featured in Gore Gallery. The Southland Times, Wednesday, 30 August 1989.
• Reid, J., Restrained prints humorous. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 17 October 1989.
• Jerram, S., Exhibitions: Foxglove on, Foxglove off. Critic, Tuesday, 25 September 1990, p17.

1991–2000

• Cain, S., Positive response to life. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 6 June 1991.
• Reid, J., Vivid optimism to angst-ugly. Romantic expression of varied ‘quartet’. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 1 December 1992.
• McNamara, T. J., Paint and iron are united. Perspective on Art, New Zealand Herald, Thursday, 23 September 1993.
• Smith, C., Raising spirits with bright colours. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 30 November 1993.
• Tyler, L., New faces exhibit in artist self-portraits at gallery. Otago Daily Times, 26 October 1994.
• Smith, C., Portraiture not dead art, painter believes. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 15 November 1994, p17.
• Smith, C., NZ feel to Christmas exhibition. Otago Daily Times, 19 December 1995.
• Ballard, S., Portrait artists reveal more than images. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 16 January 1996.
• Smith, C., Exhibition to mark homosexual anniversary. Otago Daily Times, Friday, 14 June 1996.
• Harris, L., Carterton mayor opens show of homosexual artists’ work. Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1996.
• Watson White, H., Gaiety at homosexual opening. Somewhere over the Stonewall – exhibition of lesbian and gay excellence, curated by John Robinson. Sunday Star-Times, Sunday, 23 June 1996.
• Spectrum choir exhibition. Southland Times, 9 July 1996.
• Chin, D., Two painters, two styles. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 20 August 1996.
• Watson White, H., Robinson painting with a child’s vision. Sunday Star-Times, Sunday, 25 August 1996.
• Mutch, N., Tenderness a tonic. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 25 March 1997.
• Smith, C., Painter revisits early calling as jeweller. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 1 April 1997.
• Smith, C., Adventurous art. Otago Daily Times, 3 April 1997.
• Art lectures. Billboard. The Press, 16 July 1997.
• Crompton, A., Artists breathe life into chairs. Otago Daily Times, 11 October 1997.
• Mutch, N., Robinson, Stevens, L’Estrange show colours. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 17 March 1998, p15.
• Watson White, H., Dynamic design opens world. New paintings by Eion Stevens, Joe L’Estrange and John Robinson, Moray Gallery, Dunedin to 4 April. Sunday Star-Times, 29 March 1998.
• Lucas, C., Bold colours hold lasting appeal. Southland Times, Tuesday, 14 April 1998, p8.
• Winning Entry. Southland Times, 17 April 1998.
• Watson White, H., Finding gaiety and survival on the edge of the world. Sunday Star-Times, Sunday, 19 July 1998.
• Dingwall, R., The art of belonging to Caversham, nowhere or a private universe. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 9 March 1999, p18.
• Ussher, R., Finding the world, and a patchwork scene. The Press, Wednesday, 28 April 1999, p20.
• Dashing display. Mirror (Queenstown-Lakes Edition), 18 August 1999.
• Mutch, N., Telling artefacts from our recent history. Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, 7 March 2000.
• Mutch, N., Richardson’s star shines. Otago Daily Times, 24 August 2000.

2001–2010

• Lonie, B., Dunedin. Battery Operated. Steve Carr. Claire Beynon. Sarah Rees. Art New Zealand, No. 99, (2001), p54-55.
• Watson White, H., A jeweller turned painter creates a wealth of life in a small space. Sunday Times, 2001.
• Mayston, B., Pictures worth a thousand words. Otago Daily Times, 2 June 2001.
• Field, P., Large works give full rein to style and spirituality. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 18 October 2001.
• Edwards, A., Sacred images from the profane in Ukraine vision. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 18 April 2002, p30.
• Review. A to Z of Birdland: An Avian Alphabet. An Exhibition of Jewellery by John Robinson. The Dominion Post, 13 September 2002.
• Art from the deep south. Havelock North Village Press, Thursday, 15 May 2003.
• McCauley, T., Going solo. Hawkes Bay Today, 4 June 2003, p32.
• McCauley, T., South Island selection. Hawkes Bay Today, Wednesday, 4 June 2003.
• Dignan, J., Flowers and masculinity prove a potent mix. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 4 September 2003, p31.
• Dingwall, R., Glittering gazeteer gilds Dunedin alphabetically. John Z. Robinson, A to Z of Dunedin: a wearable alphabet. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 25 September 2003, p38.
• Prebble, A., Pride Week Art Exhibition – Review. Otago Gaily Times, Issue Number 41, August–October 2004, p3.
• Harwood, B., John faces his year’s work. Dunedin Star Weekender, Sunday, 20 November 2004.
• Dingwall, R., Robinson’s word-prints satisfying and entertaining. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 9 December 2004, p30.
• Broun, B., Multi-layered wordplay draws viewers into artist’s fun print show. Auckland City Harbour News, Friday, 5 August 2005, p4.
• Dart, W. and Herrick, L., In the Warhola Soup. New Zealand Herald, Wednesday, 10 August 2005, B5.
• Broun, B., Art Exhibition: Lake Warhola Soup. Express, 10–23 August 2005, p23.
• Smith, C., Shining decade crafting the X factor. Impressions, Otago Daily Times, 27 October 2005, p29.
• Dingwall, R., Inviting array of jewellers’ work. Artseen, Impressions, Otago Daily Times, 10 November 2005, p34.
• Dingwall, R., Shifting images of standstill throw viewer off balance. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 8 December 2005, p38.
• Body, R., John Z. Robinson: 29 Nudes. Otago Gaily Times, Issue Number 47, February–April 2006, p9.
• Smith, C., Art – romance and reality. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 30 March 2006, p30.
• Campbell, J., Many facets evident in war and peace. Impressions, Otago Daily Times, 13 April 2006, p38.
• Art beat. The Press. 20 May 2006, p3.
• Eggleton, D., Hot gossip and holy ground. John Z. Robinson might be the cure for repression. New Zealand Listener, 27 May 2006 – 2 June 2006, Vol. 204, No. 3446, p46.
• Dignan, J., Panels spread message. Artists celebrate the winter solstice. Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 22 June 2006, p34.
• Dingwall, R., Past artists hang together. Impressions, Otago Daily Times, 29 June 2006, p29.
• Jamieson, L., On the trail of a great image. Lakes District News, 19 October 2006, p2.
• Dignan, J., Memento mori. Impressions, Otago Daily Times, 7 December 2006, p2.
• Smith, H., Parallel Lines – Riding the Central Otago Rail Trail. Wairarapa Times-Age, Saturday, 9 February 2008.
• Jamieson, L., Book follows cycle of season on trail. Otago Daily Times, 6 March 2008.
• Harwood, B., Rainbow of art for Pride Week. Otago Daily Times, July 2008.
• Campbell, J., Art seen. John Z. Robinson, 100s and 1000s, Lure. Otago Daily Times, 2 October 2008, p30.
• Dignan, J., Art as far as the eye can see. Otago Daily Times, 9 October 2008.
• Halsey, W., 100s & 1000s. John Z. Robinson. Otago Gaily Times, Issue 58, November 2008-January 2009, p7.
• Herkt, D., Review: The Male Figure in the Art of John Z. Robinson at http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/23/printer_7336.php
• Wee, A., Beautiful books. Express, 20 May-2 June 2009, p16.
• Beattie’s Book Blog at http://beattiesbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/male-figure-in-art-of-john-z.html
• Body, R., Creative disclosures. Otago Gaily Times, Issue 61, August–October 2009, p3.
• Benson, N., Prints from a lofty realm. Otago Daily Times, 5 November 2009.
• Herkt, D., Review: 'Red Studio - 45 Prints' by John Z. Robinson at http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/23/article_7336.php
• Chinn, A., After the year of books: an interview with JZR. Otago Gaily Times, Issue 63, February–April 2010, p3.
• Watson White, H., Still sacred lives. New Zealand Books, Autumn 2010, p6.
• Dignan, J., notes from grey city. James Kerr and John Z. Robinson. Otago Daily Times, 14 October 2010.

External links

• Robinson's art at Moray Gallery, Dunedin