Robert Bishop (artist)
Encyclopedia
Robert K. Bishop was an American
bondage artist, often credited as The Bishop or simply Bishop. Born in Michigan
, he has been compared with John Willie
and described as the "Rembrandt of bondage
art".
Most of Bishop's art appeared in magazines and catalogues from 1971 to the 1980s. By the mid-1990s, Bishop's art had long been out of print. The originals had largely been lost or destroyed. Even a partial reprinting in 1992-1993 was based on previously published copies.
Hunter Rose, in 1995 to 1996, made scans from his own personal magazine collection and materials loaned to him by many others. His set of 1254 images, which are believed to be the complete collection of all available Bishop art, were regularly posted to usenet newsgroups so that Bishop's work could be preserved and appreciated.
. His work was known for being very detailed and vivid.
His main theme was extremely tight and/or reinforced bondage that showed its subjects straining against their restraints. The bondage depicted often involved elaborate harnesses and gag
s designed by Bishop.
Although almost all of his work depicted women in bondage, he also produced some series of female dominant images, and a few male bondage images, some of which are now displayed at the Leather Archives and Museum
in Chicago.
Bishop also produced the Fanni Hall series of damsel-in-distress bondage comics.
In addition to his many illustrations in bondage magazines, his art was showcased in a number of dedicated magazines published by House of Milan and Lyndon Distributors Limited.
at the age of 46. His work has been extensively circulated on the Internet, and originals of his pictures are now collectors' items.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bondage artist, often credited as The Bishop or simply Bishop. Born in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, he has been compared with John Willie
John Willie
John Alexander Scott Coutts , better known as John Willie, was a pioneering fetish photographer, illustrator, and bondage artist.- Life and work :...
and described as the "Rembrandt of bondage
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
art".
Most of Bishop's art appeared in magazines and catalogues from 1971 to the 1980s. By the mid-1990s, Bishop's art had long been out of print. The originals had largely been lost or destroyed. Even a partial reprinting in 1992-1993 was based on previously published copies.
Hunter Rose, in 1995 to 1996, made scans from his own personal magazine collection and materials loaned to him by many others. His set of 1254 images, which are believed to be the complete collection of all available Bishop art, were regularly posted to usenet newsgroups so that Bishop's work could be preserved and appreciated.
Work
Bishop's work has been published extensively in bondage magazines, especially those of Centurions Publications and the bondage publisher House of MilanHouse of Milan
House of Milan was a successful publisher of bondage magazines and BDSM videos, that was mostly run by fetish photographer and producer Barbara Behr...
. His work was known for being very detailed and vivid.
His main theme was extremely tight and/or reinforced bondage that showed its subjects straining against their restraints. The bondage depicted often involved elaborate harnesses and gag
Gag (BDSM)
A gag is sometimes worn during some bondage and BDSM roleplays. Gags are usually associated with roleplays involving bondage, but that is not necessarily the case. The person who wears the gag is regarded as the submissive partner, while the one not wearing one is regarded as the dominant...
s designed by Bishop.
Although almost all of his work depicted women in bondage, he also produced some series of female dominant images, and a few male bondage images, some of which are now displayed at the Leather Archives and Museum
Leather Archives and Museum
The Leather Archives & Museum , based in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, USA, has much information and details on the beginning of the leather subculture and BDSM community...
in Chicago.
Bishop also produced the Fanni Hall series of damsel-in-distress bondage comics.
In addition to his many illustrations in bondage magazines, his art was showcased in a number of dedicated magazines published by House of Milan and Lyndon Distributors Limited.
Techniques
Bishop's illustrations were mostly in black and white using pen and ink, with spot use of airbrushing for shading. His work makes much play with the contrast between pale skin and black restraints and latex garments, and with the use of shading to imply shiny rubber textures and musculature. His colour illustrations were mostly for magazine covers, due to the economic constraints of bondage magazine production. He also drew in a softer pencil style, with subtle use of pencil shading. Materials for original works included pencil on vellum and inks on illustration board.Death and legacy
He committed suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
at the age of 46. His work has been extensively circulated on the Internet, and originals of his pictures are now collectors' items.
Collected illustrations
- Bishop On Bondage (series of magazines) (House of Milan, 1984)
- Bishop: The Art of Bondage (series of magazines) (Lyndon Distributors Limited, 1993)