Seattle Refined's 'Artist of the Week' feature spotlights Joey M. Robinson, a Seattle-based contemporary artist whose work explores movement, emotion, and color through layered abstract compositions. Robinson has been creating art for over two decades, with his work exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum and held in private collections. He is donating a selection from his Black Maid Tributes series to the Lifelong Pride Gala's live auction, which will take place in Seattle on June 13. The series, inspired by the 1967 shooting death of his mother's best friend, a maid named Lois Spellman, aims to honor the humanity of disadvantaged women. Robinson works primarily in acrylic and canvas, and also uses encaustic painting.
This feature matters because it highlights how a local artist uses personal history and social justice themes to create meaningful, collectible work that supports LGBTQ+ community causes. Robinson's Black Maid Tributes series connects a tragic historical event to contemporary art, raising funds for Lifelong and Seattle Pride's Impact Fund, which advances equity, health, and belonging for LGBTQ+ communities. The article also provides insight into the creative process and motivations of a working artist, underscoring the role of community advocacy in art.