About

Robert L. Pincus Headshot, photo by M.C. Rollo
Photo by M.C. Rollo

Robert L. Pincus, PhD is an art critic and writer based in San Diego, known for the seminal book on Edward and Nancy Reddin Kienholz, On A Scale that Competes with the World (University of California Press).

He served as the art critic of The San Diego Union-Tribune for 25 years. He was also books editor during his tenure there. Before that, Robert was an art critic for the Los Angeles Times.

In 2016, he was the curator and catalog author of Poetic: Artists in a Visionary Mode, an exhibition marking the reopening of the Cannon Art Gallery in Carlsbad. He has served as the principal visiting critic for Critical Mass in Shreveport, Louisiana since 2013.

Robert holds a Ph.D. in Art History & English from the University of Southern California where he also received his M.A. in American Studies.

He teaches at California State University, Long Beach and the University of San Diego.

A top arts influencer, you can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Or, email him.

Writing

A prolific reviewer and essayist, Robert L. Pincus’ words appear in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Artbound, Art in America, Art News, Art Ltd., San Diego Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and more.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and journalism prizes for his art writing.

Robert has authored essays for many exhibition catalogs, including

  • Sophie Calle: The Reader
  • Behold, America! Art of the United States from Three San Diego Museums, and
  • Robert Wilson: Space/Time

Teaching

With a focus on discussion and critical thinking, Robert teaches courses on writing, theory and criticism for the graduate art program at California State University, Long Beach. He has taught in the art, architecture, and art history program at the University of San Diego since 1998.

He lectures frequently at colleges, universities, and museums on art criticism, 19th and 20th century American art, and contemporary art.

Contact Robert L. Pincus.

Resources