Meet Robert Onnes | Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Onnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Having decided to pursue sculpture, only self employment was an option. I prefer the flexibility of being my own boss

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an established sculptor from New Zealand working predominantly with steel and copper, exhibiting in many group and solo shows in New Zealand and Michigan. My background in electronics and as a property developer has influenced the current processes I use including CAD, CNC cutting and MIG welding.
One of the unique distinctions of my work is his interest in the constraints and possibilities found with using sheet metal to design three dimensional forms. Whilst they have the presence of a solid cast works, they utilize quite a different process that I’ve perfected over many years.

Having worked most of my life in Electronics, It was not until 2006 the I embarked on a career in Art. My wife and I came to Detroit for a visit in 2012. We wanted to find out for ourselves what all the buzz was about. It was going to be a 2-week vacation to learn more about this eclectic city. Like so many others, I could not get Detroit out of my mind when I got back to New Zealand. Within three years, we moved to Detroit to become part of this new, up and coming art scene in a city that was reinventing itself. I now own 333 Midland, a successful art studio with 20 artists creating diverse art: metal sculpture, wood sculpture, painting, mixed media, and more. Turnover for my studios is rare. I am a successful artist and businessman making art in Detroit.

I am currently pursuing another project via a non profit called “The BIG Art” To expand and encourage other artists to plant roots in Detroit and continue to prove Detroit’s UNESCO designation worthy. Detroit needs more artists creating, more studios to create art in, and we need to educate and inform our SE Michigan community about the art that is right here and right now. The The site is a 110,000 sq ft industrial building and office building on 3.7 acres. The plan is to create 60 artist studios in the office block and industrial spaces. The 45,000 sq ft of 25-38 foot high stud industrial bays, we will be able to host music, theater and visual art exhibits. There will be space for events, weddings, art fairs and conferences. This property will open on to the Joe Lewis Greenway.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spot is right here at 333 Midland.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My should out is for the artists who are my tenants at 333 Midland. There’s nothing better than working in the creative environment that we have here

Website: https://www.333midland.com/, https://www.thebigart.org/

Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/333midland, https://www.instagram.com/333midland_annex_gallery/, https://www.instagram.com/thebigart.detroit/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-onnes-869b304/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/333midland, https://www.facebook.com/thebigart.detroit