Robby Reis is a Scorpio and channels his intense, transformative energy into his work. I’ve always known him to have a strong expressive instinct that fuels his approach to art. He collects fragments of his existence and assembles them into a continuous examination of the complexity of being human.
-Written by Tania Dos Santos
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Which ‘hood are you in?
My studio is in a sort of evolving no man’s land in Montreal’s La Petite-Patrie neighbourhood. It sits between active train tracks and an overpass. The area has gone from a concrete industrial zone to a green space that now hosts many free events in the summer, including punk shows that provide a welcomed energetic release at the end of a long day of artmaking. It’s full of life, I love it!
What do you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist with a background in filmmaking, photography, painting, and street art. After years of seeing these different mediums as separate, it’s exciting to see them coming together into one cohesive practice. Right now, I’m experimenting with analogue mediums like Xerox machines, VHS tapes, Polaroid film and audio cassettes. These tools add a raw immediacy to my work that I’m very excited about right now!
What are you currently working on?
My latest series of mixed media paintings dives into themes of love, loss, memory and the subconscious mind. I’ve been photographing what I playfully call “eerie objects,” then printing and photocopying them to create a high-contrast, textured look that feels very raw. I’m drawing visual inspiration from Tarot, astrology, and Jung’s theories on dream symbolism to explore a world full of metaphors and peculiar characters that reflect my thoughts and anxieties about life, death, and what might lie beyond. I’m also finalizing a photo collage book project, NOT A COOKBOOK, which explores my friendship with Ralph and Lee-Anne, owners of a restaurant that celebrates their culture in the heart of Montreal’s Gay Village. It will be published later this year by TBW Books, an independent photography book publisher based in Oakland, California.
Where can we find your work?
Right now, I’m organizing a gallery exhibition while also prepping some street art that’ll pop up in various forms. My websites (robbyreis.com and natalifilm.com) and Instagram accounts (@robbyreis and @natalifilm) are the best places to check out my current and past work, plus get a behind-the-scenes look at my process and materials. I’m always up for discussing my work, so don’t be shy—feel free to reach out!
