Robin Mccarthy

Robin McCarthy was born in Los Angeles, California. At the age of ten her father’s job relocated the family to Vancouver, British Columbia for a few years before returning to
California where Robin finished her education at public schools, junior college, San
Diego State College, and the Otis Art Institute. Her artistic career started as a clothing
designer, which led to work in theater costume shops, and the Jim Henson Creature Shop. From there she segued into graphic design for television and film. It was the opportunity to take a class taught by Susan Hill, who led the embroidery of all the linens for Judy Chicago’s iconic Dinner Party, that ignited Robin’s artistic fire for embroidery as fine art.

Social, cultural, environmental, and political challenges are frequent themes in her work. She draws the viewer in with the comfort of nostalgic imagery and then leads them to the realization that there is more to it. They are not meant to evoke sentimental complacency, but rather to stimulate thought and conversations, amplifying current events surreptitiously through the traditional art of embroidery. There is a quirky, offbeat, and dark humor to her artwork, while at the same time challenging us to be better stewards of our eart...

San Diego State University
Otis College of Art and Design

2022
Craig Krull Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA – Consignment piece

The Venice Art Auction, Venice, CA Juried Group Show

Art Fluent, Online Art Exhibit, Juried Group Show, “Within”

2021
Direct Art, Online Art Exhibit, Juried Group Show, “Global Meltdown”

2019
The Hive, Los Angeles, CA. California Women, Group Show

The Venice Art Auction, Venice, CA Group Show2016
Gallery 800, North Hollywood, CA
Group Show

SBTC, Santa Barbara, CA
Artist Invitational. - Honorable Mention

2014
San Diego Art Institute (SDAI), San Diego, CA
Group Show

Berkeley Arts Council, WV
Group Show - Honorable Mention

Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna, CA
Group Show

HUD Gallery, Ventura, CA
Group Show

2013
SBTC, Santa Barbara, CA
Artist Invitational - Honorable Mention

Onward Art & Design, Santa Barbara, CA
Brick and Mortar Design Shop

SBTC, Santa Barbara, CA
Artist Invitational - Honorable Mention