Works from the Collection of Norma Canelas Roth and William Roth
On view February 17, 2024 through July 28, 2024
During the 1970s, artists in Los Angeles and New York challenged convention by pushing the boundaries of form, color, and meaning. While Conceptualism, Pop Art, and Minimalism gained significant attention and acclaim, other artists reveled in the handmade and sought to legitimize aesthetic ideas beyond those that preoccupied the mainstream art world. Even though the movement itself was loosely construed, artists affiliated with Pattern and Decoration sought to challenge established hierarchies and gendered assumptions in the art world.
Throughout the exhibition visitors will encounter vividly painted canvases, detailed embroidery, as well as gold foil and mosaics. A feast for the eyes, the works included in the exhibition are unabashedly sumptuous. Beginning with pattern painting and moving into complex fiber works, the exhibition examines how artists embraced excess and rejected restrained formality. In their work and in their personal lives, several artists considered feminism to be a core component of their practices. Some aimed to elevate color palettes and techniques traditionally associated with women artists.
Embellish Me is presented in honor of Norma Canelas Roth (1943–2022). A tireless advocate for artists, Roth felt deeply passionate about collecting art that was often neglected by mainstream art dealers, critics, and curators. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and an alumni of the University of South Florida, she lived much of her life in Florida. She remained committed to collecting in depth. Embellish Me presents a selection of works collected by Roth, many of which made by artists affiliated with the Pattern and Decoration movement, which she collected extensively.
Featured Artists
Rudy Autio
Lynda Benglis
Paul Brach
Brad Davis
Frank Faulkner
Valerie Jaudon
Richard Kalina
Joyce Kozloff
Robert Kushner
Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt
Pat Lasch
Kim MacConnel
Ree Morton
Tony Robbin
Lucas Samaras
Miriam Schapiro
Joyce Scott
Kendall Shaw
Ned Smyth
John Torreano
Ann Turnley
Betty Woodman
Robert Zakanitch
Embellish Me: Works from the Collection of Norma Canelas Roth and William Roth is organized by the Patricia & Philip Frost Art Museum at FIU and presented in collaboration with the Tampa Museum of Art
