Draft:Robert Steven Connett

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Robert Steven Connett (born 1951) is an American painter known for his detailed depictions of undersea life, microcosmic worlds, and surreal natural environments.[1][2] His work blends scientific precision with surrealist imagination, often focusing on marine organisms, insects, and fantastical ecosystems.[3]

Early life and background

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Connett was born in San Francisco, California. Before pursuing art full-time, he worked for more than 20 years in the insurance industry. In the mid-1990s, he left that career to devote himself to painting, developing a style that merges natural history with surrealism.[4][5]

Career

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Connett’s paintings have been exhibited internationally in both solo and group shows, including exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Melbourne, and Amsterdam.[6] His work is characterized by vibrant colors and meticulous detail, often portraying imaginary underwater worlds populated by fish, crustaceans, and microscopic life.[7]

A 2014 Hi-Fructose feature documented his studio process and noted the surreal, “microcosmic” qualities of his paintings.[8] In interviews, Connett has cited both scientific illustration and the natural world as major inspirations.[9][10]

Exhibitions

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Solo exhibitions

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  • 2019 – Microworlds, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, California.[11][12]

Selected group exhibitions

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  • 2025 – Popland V, KochxBos Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands.[13]
  • 2024 – BLAB! 19th Annual Group Exhibition, Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, California.[14]
  • 2016 – Littletopia, LA Art Show (Copro Gallery booth), Los Angeles, California.[15]
  • 2016 – Small Works 2016, Beinart Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.[16]
  • 2015 – 20 Years Under the Influence of Juxtapoz, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California.[17]
  • 2014 – The Micro Worlds of R.S. Connett, Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, California.[18]

Artistic style and themes

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Connett’s art often explores themes of biodiversity, interconnected ecosystems, and the hidden beauty of microscopic life.[19] Critics have described his work as combining the precision of scientific illustration with the imagination of surrealism.[20]

Collections and reception

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Connett’s work has been noted for blending the precision of natural science illustration with the imagination of contemporary surrealism.[21][22] Critics have described his paintings as “microcosmic worlds” that invite viewers into intricate ecosystems populated by both real and imagined species.[23]

His work has appeared in international galleries and art fairs, and is included in private collections around the world.[24] Select paintings have been featured in exhibition catalogs and art magazines such as Hi-Fructose, Direct Art Magazine, and WOW x WOW.[25][26]

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References

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  1. ^ Ebert, Grace (2021-01-27). "Mysterious Marine Ecosystems Populate Rich Paintings by Robert Steven Connett". Colossal. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  2. ^ Hodge, Rebecca (2021-02-15). "Artist's Otherworldly Paintings Reimagine Mysterious Marine Creatures". Treehugger. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  3. ^ Koh, Sara Barnes (2021-03-28). "Elaborate Paintings Capture the Beautiful Mystery of Diverse Ecosystems". My Modern Met. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  4. ^ "Studio Visit: Behind the Scenes with Robert S. Connett". Hi-Fructose Magazine. 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  5. ^ "Robert Steven Connett and his biotic curiosities". STIRworld. 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  6. ^ Ebert, Grace (2021-01-27). "Mysterious Marine Ecosystems Populate Rich Paintings by Robert Steven Connett". Colossal. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  7. ^ Koh, Sara Barnes (2021-03-28). "Elaborate Paintings Capture the Beautiful Mystery of Diverse Ecosystems". My Modern Met. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  8. ^ "Studio Visit: Behind the Scenes with Robert S. Connett". Hi-Fructose Magazine. 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  9. ^ "Robert Steven Connett and his biotic curiosities". STIRworld. 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  10. ^ "Robert Steven Connett – The Sea Was My Teacher (Artist Interview)". WOW x WOW. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  11. ^ "Robert S. Connett — Microworlds (Solo Exhibition)". La Luz de Jesus Gallery. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  12. ^ "Robert S. Connett — Microworlds". MutualArt. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  13. ^ "Popland V (Artist list inc. Robert Steven Connett)". Gallery Viewer. 2025-06-07. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  14. ^ "BLAB! 19 — Press Release". Copro Gallery. August 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  15. ^ Waldman, Johnny (2016-01-19). "The Dense Microcosmic Worlds of Painter Robert S. Connett". Colossal. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  16. ^ "Small Works 2016". Beinart Gallery. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  17. ^ "20 Years Under the Influence of Juxtapoz (artist list)" (PDF). Thinkspace Projects (press PDF). February 2015. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  18. ^ "The Micro Worlds of R.S. Connett (press release)". Copro Gallery. 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  19. ^ Hodge, Rebecca (2021-02-15). "Artist's Otherworldly Paintings Reimagine Mysterious Marine Creatures". Treehugger. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  20. ^ Ebert, Grace (2021-01-27). "Mysterious Marine Ecosystems Populate Rich Paintings by Robert Steven Connett". Colossal. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  21. ^ Ebert, Grace (2021-01-27). "Mysterious Marine Ecosystems Populate Rich Paintings by Robert Steven Connett". Colossal. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  22. ^ Hodge, Rebecca (2021-02-15). "Artist's Otherworldly Paintings Reimagine Mysterious Marine Creatures". Treehugger. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  23. ^ Koh, Sara Barnes (2021-03-28). "Elaborate Paintings Capture the Beautiful Mystery of Diverse Ecosystems". My Modern Met. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  24. ^ "Robert Steven Connett — Artist page". Beinart Gallery. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  25. ^ "Studio Visit: Behind the Scenes with Robert S. Connett". Hi-Fructose Magazine. 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  26. ^ "Robert Steven Connett – The Sea Was My Teacher (Artist Interview)". WOW x WOW. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
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