Brian Robinson was born in 1973 on Waiben (Thursday Island) and is of the Maluyligal and Wuthathi language groups of the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula, and is a descendant of the Dayak people of Malaysia. He grew up in the idyllic tropical surroundings of the Torres Strait Islands, located between the tip of Cape York Peninsula and Papua New Guinea. During this time he gained valuable knowledge and appreciation of the culture of his people and was particularly influenced by the myths and legends of the Torres Strait, and the traditional motifs and natural carving ability of the Islanders. Now Cairns-based, Robinson is known for his printmaking, sculpture and public art in which he uses a variety of techniques.

In 2004, Robinson completed internships with both the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia and has since collaborated on an exhibition with the Museum developed specifically for their Gallery for First Australians. Until August 2010 he was Exhibitions Manager and Deputy Director of Cairns Regional Gallery and, despite the demands of these positions, he continued to develop a strong arts practice. Robinson left the Gallery to concentrate on his art practice full-time, commencing with a 12-month Artist Residency at Djumbunji Press KickArts Fine Art Printmaking Studio, Cairns. He is an award-winning artist and his work is held in all of the major public collections in Australia, including the National Gallery of Australia.