"I work like the automatic artists of the Surrealist movement in that I trust my subconscious to generate ideas. The emphasis is on "magic, accident, irrational, symbols and dreams". Like the Rorschach (ink blot) test, the material often suggests images and sometimes presents them in an unusual way. The image made depends ultimately upon what lies in the subconscious, elements of chance and the spirit of the times."

Public Collections

Durban Art Gallery
Tatham Art Gallery
Pretoria Art Museum
Natal Provincial Administration Collection
Rhodes University Collection
Natal Technikon Collection
Ann Bryant Art Gallery
ABSA Bank

Exhibitions

Many national and international exhibitions including two solo exhibitions at Bonisa Gallery in 2004 and 2006, and a solo show at Gallery on the Square in 2007.

Books

'Meeting Carl Roberts' Authored by Neil Wright and published by Wright Publishing.

Community Service

Carl is currently an executive director of the African Art Center and serves as vice chair. He has also been elected member of the council of the Kwazulu Natal Society of Arts (Formally NSA).

Career

Carl worked as a fireman, truck driver and assistant manager in a dairy before starting a career in art. Since then he has lectured in the Fine Art Departments at the Universities of Durban-Westville, Rhodes and Natal. In 1995 after eight years of lecturing he became a full time artist.

Academic achievements

1993 - Rhodes University, Master of Fine Arts

Awards

1984 - Rhodes University: Purvis Prize for the best all round Fine Art student
1984 - Rhodes University: Academic Half Colours
1985 - Rhodes University: Scholarship