(1952 - )
David Robilliard was born in Guernsey and moved to London in 1975 hoping to gain a firmer footing as a poet and musician. He met the artist Andrew Heard in London who became his partner, and the artists Gilbert and George in 1979 whom he modelled for. They helped publish his first book of poetry which was launched amidst a backdrop of his drawings. Other poetry readings against backdrops of drawings followed, often in the bars and restaurants of Soho in London. Robillard never went to an art-school and was self-taught. His first solo exhibition was held at the Stephen Bartley Gallery in 1983 and his work was included posthumously in the British Art show in 1990. Solo exhibitions of his work have been held at the Stedelijk, Amsterdam (1993); Cornerhouse, Manchester (1998); ScheiblerMitte, Berlin (2009); and ICA, London (2014). His work is in a number of key collections including those of the Tate, MoMA, New York and Stedelijk, Amsterdam.
