Artist Biography

Robert Gilbert first gained notoriety in the early 1960’s while a student of Jean Tingueley, the “Father” of kinetic art. In those years, Gilbert created fifty-eight kinetic sculptures of various sizes, the largest weighing in at three tons. In his twenties, he was represented by Vorpal Gallery in San Francisco and Marlborough Gallery in New York. He sold fifty pieces, many of which are presently on display in museums and galleries worldwide.

Gilbert’s unique art inspired the independent production of the 1970 Oscar-winning documentary film, entitled Magic Machines, which he wrote and narrated. The film also won the Prix Corte de Film at the Cannes Film Festival and was subsequently packaged with Easy Rider and distributed by Columbia Pictures.       

Gilbert subsequently adapted his artistic skills to architectural design and construction. He built his first home on 70 acres on the coast of central California. Later, he co-founded the celebrated design/construction firm of Gilbert & Chang, which included among its clientele Bob Dylan, Don Henley, Cheech Marin, Tom Chong, Dash Croft, Joe Walsh, Herb Alpert, Sam Elliot, Katherine Ross, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, Lina Lee, Robert Blake, and Irv Azof. In all, the firm completed some eighty projects over 15 years, including five restaurants and eight commercial stores.      

In 1980, Gilbert sold his interest in the firm, which by that time had grown to 375 employees and included an architectural firm, a custom tile factory, cabinetry/furniture shop, and landscaping company.  During his tenure at Gilbert & Chang, he nurtured his lifelong passion for wooden ships by building two sailing ships--a 45-footer for himself and a 65-footer for his friend, Bob Dylan.     

In an audacious style that would become his signature, he named his craft after the impossibly remote island in the Lesser Antilles upon which she was constructed: Bequia.   

In 1982, Gilbert took over and completed construction of the 80,000 square-foot Bicycle Club Casino in Bell Gardens and became its chief operating officer. During the next five years, the “Bike” became the most successful casino in California. Gilbert retired from the Bicycle Club in 1988.    

Inspired by an antique photograph of the legendary 1874 gaff/cutter named Bloodhound designed by William Fife II, Gilbert determined to build a faithful replica. Following an extensive search, he discovered the original plans in a Scottish castle, and construction began. In 1993, the new Bloodhound was launched to wide acclaim in the wooden boat and racing community.     

In 1998, Gilbert sailed Bloodhound to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he established a whale-watching and adventure/tour business named Journeys, S.A. de C.V., which has since become the premier tour operator in the Bay of Banderas. It possesses a rare Mexican maritime license and has established working relationships with virtually all of the agency tour systems in the region.

In 1999, Gilbert and financier James Hale formed a land development company called No Problema, S.A. de C.V., in order to acquire, privatize, and improve 70+ acres of exclusive oceanfront resort property with a private 3000-foot beach remotely south of Puerto Vallarta. They have completed construction of the first of five planned 7000+sqaure-foot oceanside villas, together with electric and water supply. Four large palapas serve both beach and hillside areas. Ten hillside bungalows will complete the development.