Angie Roman: Freedom & Constraint (Senior Exhibition review)

Angie Roman: Freedom & Constraint

March 30 – April 17

Bridge Gallery

College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805

Visitors will enjoy viewing this new Solo Exhibition by Angie Roman. Many different pieces of works are displayed throughout the balcony and neighboring walls of the bridge gallery. Common motifs seen are butterflies; they are very rampant throughout the exhibition. This is a symbol of the liberation and freedom they obtain after rising from their tight cocoons.

The balcony contains a multitude of very colorful works on canvas. The artworks are done using traditional paint, stencils, and spray paint. All of the paintings do not have specific names; rather, they are individually numbered. The image of the two blue birds facing one another surrounded by clouds of yellow against the pink background is very similar to the CMYK (cyan magenta yellow key) color code that printers use. Viewers will also notice a spray painting of a birdcage, a common symbol of captivity. The paintings paired with this painting create a composition that strongly resembles a staircase. It’s almost as though the birds and butterflies have escaped from this cage. The colors that the artist uses contrast heavily against one another in these paintings, yet they fit together. For instance, one of these works feature stencils of bright yellow monarch butterflies against a pure black background. Some of the wings of these butterflies give off a very blurry, mystical appearance.

Angie Roman, #2

Photo taken by the Artist.

Entering the neighboring hallway from the balcony, the viewer is met with a very intriguing installation. There is a large amount of small black butterfly cutouts that are individually hammered into the wall. The artist used much patience and dedication doing this. On one side of the wall, a moderately large painting is displayed, which is presumed to be a self-portrait of the artist herself. The figure is a painted black silhouetted bust shot shown in profile. The background of this painting is a wide array of flat colors, seemingly drooping to the bottom. The painted butterflies coming from the figure seek to join the black butterflies hammered into the wall.

The opposite side of the wall has a huge stream of butterflies coming out of a large, white door. The viewer is encouraged to interact with the door, opening it wide. In doing so, a compiled rectangular patch of butterflies will be seen.  

This exhibition by Angie Roman is a real sight to see. The artwork offers a unique harmony of fine art and street art; a mix of traditional and spray painting along with an interesting mixed-media assemblage installation. The placement and subjects involved in this exhibition show great examples of Freedom & Constraint.