Brooklyn, NY – From April 27 through May 29, 2022, 440 Gallery, Brooklyn, is proud to present Short Stories, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Robin Roi. This is Robin Roi’s first solo show at the gallery.
Consisting of intricately-patterned surfaces that are imbedded with imaginative narratives, Roi’s pieces are layered and collaged with vintage papers she collects, such as wallpaper, dressmaker tissue paper patterns, Japanese grocery lists and other ephemera. Paint, drawing materials and mark making is used to create richly-textured works on paper. In the artist’s words: “I often refer to my paintings as narrative patterns, referencing my passion and love of both storytelling and the realm of pattern making. By using pattern in the most inclusive way possible, it exists not merely as a decorative device, but as a way of seeing and understanding the world.”
Recalling the scenic, story-filled wallpapers that she encountered as a child, Roi’s work is an exploration of personal life paths taken over time. In Annunciation, two people tussle over a ribbon inscribed with words, while a tiger looks on from the corner as another animal flees; everything is encased within an intricate red pattern. Roi’s fascinations are evident here—we are reminded of the mythologic dream interpretations of Carl Jung.
As a child of the 1960s, her interest in psychology, dreams, mythology and psychedelics helped nurture a fascination with pattern as a visual motif. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Roi was active in the Pattern and Decoration Movement and her paintings were filled with vibrant narratives intertwined within highly-detailed patterns. In this current body of work, Roi’s focus has shifted and narrative has become the main emphasis while pattern takes on a secondary, yet still vital role. This exhibit, Short Stories, is thus aptly titled.
Robin Roi earned a BFA in printmaking from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and an MFA from Claremont University in California. From 1974–1977, she was an Artist In Residence at the North Carolina Arts Council. In NYC, Roi held staff positions at The Drawing Center, The Heller Gallery and The American Crafts Museum. In 1983, she joined Evergreene Architectural Arts as a decorative painter. During her tenure at Evergreene, she was appointed Director of Decorative Painting and for over thirty years she designed surface finishes for some of the most iconic buildings in NYC, and advised top interior design and architectural firms around the country. Robin exhibits widely throughout the U.S. and her work has been represented by Barbara Gladstone Gallery, NYC and Bruno Bischofberger, Zurich. Robin currently devotes her time to her studio practice in painting and ceramics. She became a member of 440 Gallery in 2020.
Reception: Saturday, April 30, 2022 4 – 6pm
About 440 Gallery: 440 Gallery presents engaging art to the community through exhibitions, talks, readings and events centered around direct contact with the artist. Open Thursday – Friday 4-7, Saturday and Sunday 12-6pm, or by appointment. The 440 Gallery is in Park Slope, convenient to the F, M, and R subways.
Contact: Amanda Brown
[email protected]
718.499.3844
Website: 440gallery.com
