Robert Priolo

(Robbie P)

Robert Priolo (Robbie P) was born and raised just north of Toronto, Canada.

Primarily, he is known as an abstract expressionist, although currently emerging into the art genre of modern abstract works.

Artist Bibliography

He works solely using acrylic paints, employing a technique that uses brushes and various tools in a manner that differs from most mainstream artists.

His dripstyle technique uses an ‘allover’ composition that permits no visual centre of attention. There is an emphasis on the elements of line, vivid colours, texture and form.

The artist has Asperger’s, a high functioning form of autism. He utilizes the strengths of such in each one of his pieces, having an intense hyper-focus, and acute degree for attention to detail.

Robbie is attracted to, and uses vivid patterns in his artwork. He has a focus on aesthetics, and allows his emotions to flow on canvas to his artistic benefit.

Formal Education

Robbie is a graduate of Trent University, possessing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Several years later, he obtained his Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto.

During his academic studies to become a teacher, he was a student of visual arts applied classes. These classes focused on art theory, technique and experimenting with various mediums.

Providing Art Instruction to Students

Soon after obtaining his teaching credentials, he spent a year working with atypical students in a Northern and remote fly-in First Nations community on the coast of James Bay, Ontario, Canada.

It was there, in 2004, working with students possessing unique behavioural challenges, that he quickly saw the intrinsic therapeutic value of visual art (specifically the dripstyle genre).

Using the dripstyle technique, it allowed his students to express their inner most feelings, and without subjective judgement from others.

  • Robbie’s works have been selected by multiple art jurors, and featured throughout North America. His work has been showcased in California, USA.

  • He was a participant in the 6th Annual Art of Autism’s Peace Project. Two of his poems (Soldiers & Freedom’s Shore) were published within Peaceday 2021 – A Turning Point for Humanity.

    https://the-art-of-autism.com/peaceday-2021-a-turning-point-for-humanity/

  • The following year, he can also be found as a participant in the 7th Annual Art of Autism’s Art and Poems for Peace 2022, Post #4. Two of his visual art pieces (‘ ’ & ‘Abba Father’) were subsequently published in the 7th Annual Art of Autism’s, Art and Poems for Peace 2022. Post #4 - This September Let’s Celebrate Peace and End Racism

    https://the-art-of-autism.com/this-september-lets-celebrate-peace-and-end-racism/

  • He was also selected by Montreal, Canada’s, Gallea online exhibit of Intersection Art. This exhibit highlighted works of various artists on the autism spectrum.

  • Robert was an artist who was selected in the Gallea online exhibition, Intersection ART in Montreal, Ontario, Canada. The varied and surprising works of 23 artists with autism presented revealed the strengths and vulnerability, the colour and sensitivities of people with one or more atypical conditions. This exhibition was an initiative of Giant Steps, supported by Inclusion Canada, in collaboration with Gallea and Galerie C.O.A.

  • Robbie’s latest exhibit was in April 2025, with the Madison House Autism Foundation’s ‘Autism After 21'. The exhibit included his art piece ‘Aurora Borealis’, and was live streamed from Maryland, USA. The exhibit featured selected adult artists on the autism spectrum. The art exhibit can be seen on the provided YouTube link below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIluFWpHnyg&t=18s