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 helped create a visiting critic program, Critical Mass in Shreveport, Louisiana and served as it’s primary critic from 2013 to 2022. He has organized and moderated many panels on arts journalism and art issues.
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. You can find his archived papers in the Geisel Special Collections at the University of California San Diego Library.
rlpincus@att.net
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, San Diego Magazine, and more.
Robert authors 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
He is the recipient of awards and journalism prizes for his art writing.
Teaching
With a focus on discussion and critical thinking, Dr. Robert L. Pincus teaches courses on writing, theory and criticism for the 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 at colleges, universities, and museums on art criticism, 19th and 20th century American art, and contemporary art.
Life in
San Diego
Bob lives in Carmel Valley with his wife, Georgie. They’re coming up on their 45th wedding anniversary.
His son, Matthew M. Pincus, PhD is co-producer on the Art With Bob channel on YouTube, and edits all the videos too.
Bob loves spending time with his family. He often makes the short drive up to Oceanside, California to film with Matthew and his wife, Jennifer van Alstyne.
Robert L. Pincus 