This striking artwork depicts a figure hidden behind a stack of opened books, with only their hands and a portion of their face visible. The dominant colors are deep blues and purples, creating an atmospheric and introspective mood. The overall composition is balanced, drawing the viewer's attention to the central figure and the books that seem to envelop them. The textured, almost sculptural quality of the books and the hands suggests an emphasis on materiality and the physical experience of reading and learning. This piece may reflect the artist's exploration of the relationship between knowledge, identity, and the act of immersing oneself in literature. ...
Samantha Roth’s work thoroughly explores the boundaries of drawing, recognizing it as not only a medium for visual communication but also, a sphere for sculptural potential. In her drawings, Roth carefully prepares the surface with black gesso, creating both a stage and a dreamlike world for her art to unfold. The resulting drawings, marked by their familiarity, oddity, and extensive detail, draw viewers in with delicate layers of precisely applied colored pencil. The pieces showcased in her solo exhibition, 'Duplex,' for instance, spring from everyday experiences — an overheard conversation through a wall, phrases gleaned from texts, encounters during teaching, observations made on a walk, or nuances noted in her studio. Literature holds a pivotal role in Roth’s practice, interpreting each body of work like a collection of short stories. Repeating themes echo, expansive moments are condensed, and particular details connect one drawing to the next, continuously inviting the viewer to reflect on their personal relationship with the varied facets of her work. ...
