Richmond artist uses hands to tell stories in Tiburon Town Hall exhibit

Robert Hightower’s ‘Hand Grenade’ features interlocking hands forming a grenade and is part of ‘What We Hold,’ on display through March 25 at Tiburon Town Hall.

Robert Hightower says he’s always had a creative mind and first found an outlet by painting his clothes, decorating jackets with abstract designs and the letters “NDNIV,” or “Nature does nothing in vain,” his favorite quote from the philosopher Aristotle.

Hightower, 38, says he never thought of himself as a professional artist. However, after being approached twice by strangers asking to buy his jackets, he decided to see if that interest in his art would apply to paintings on canvas.

He began selling works out of his car in Mill Valley, and in 2023 had a piece accepted into the de Young Open. Since then, he’s exhibited in Richmond, Venice Beach, San Francisco and El Cerrito.

After taking part in a group show at Tiburon Town Hall last year, the Richmond-based artist is now exhibiting his solo works in the downstairs lobby and council chambers through March 25. An artist’s reception is set for 6-8 p.m. Feb. 26.

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