Sarasota Review

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design will open a new exhibition, "Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence," featuring never-before-seen works by Tampa-based artist Selina Román. The show, curated by Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D., senior curator at the museum, will run from August 31 to March 29, 2025, in the B. Claire Rusen Gallery.

Román's installation draws on photography, self-portraiture, and installation art to question common ideas about beauty and the plus-sized female body. Using her own body as subject matter, she creates tightly cropped images that turn the human form into abstract shapes and forms. In these photographs, Román wears pastel bodysuits and tights while posing in unconventional ways to create landscapes and still-life compositions out of her figure.

“This evocative installation teamed with Roman’s new abstract photographs explores notions of beauty, the politics of body size and the gaze, while refusing reductive narratives,” says Yoon. “Román offers an unapologetic embrace of what she calls the ‘absolute bigness’ of her body. Imagine the artist twisting and contorting herself in the studio, searching for new ways to see and reimagine her own corporeal form – constrained by, and simultaneously liberated through, the lens of her camera. In this act of self-discovery and critical, yet tender, investigation, she reveals unexpected contours and shapes of delight, inviting the viewer to discover them alongside her. Roman’s singular visual language, rooted in humor, defiance and critical analysis of our popular culture, defines Abstract Corpulence, her most ambitious solo exhibition

to date.”

The artist has focused on portraiture throughout her career but is now turning to self-portraiture for this series. Román said she previously avoided photographing herself but now finds it freeing both creatively and psychologically.

“I think self-portraiture may be the most challenging genre of artmaking,” shared Román. “To turn the camera on ourselves takes a good deal of bravery. In these images, we reveal ourselves in a multitude of ways.”

Her process has evolved from single-frame photography to composite images resembling collage work. This method gives more control over scale and composition.

“Here, my body is the environment,” Román explains. “It’s too big again, but this time, that’s the point. This is what I want people to feel: that bigness is not a flaw. It’s a presence.”

Although deeply personal for Román as an artist exploring her own image in detail for perhaps the first time publicly in this way — she believes viewers can relate their own experiences to what they see.

“I find it thrilling when people connect with the art on view and bring their own experiences, memories and stories to the work,” shared Román. “I create the initial meaning, and then my viewers create their own layers of meaning.”

Virginia Shearer, Executive Director at Sarasota Art Museum said: “This exhibition is another example of how, as part of Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota Art Museum is able to draw on the talents and expertise of our accomplished colleagues to ensure that our exhibitions are exciting and compelling,” shared Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “In the past we’ve been able to engage talents like Joe Fig (Contemplating Vermeer) or Jamie DeRuyter (Future Now). This season we are pleased to be bringing these wonderful photographs by Ringling photography faculty Selina Román to share with Sarasota locals and tourists alike."

Román teaches photography at Ringling College; her work is included in several regional collections such as The John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art (Sarasota), Leepa-Rattner Museum (Tarpon Springs), The Tampa Museum of Art (Tampa), Hillsborough Community College collections as well as private collections nationwide.

She has exhibited nationally at venues including The Ringling Museum (Sarasota) as well as internationally at Edna Manley College (Kingston), Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (San Juan), Brighton Photo Fringe during Brighton Photo Biennial 2016 (UK). She received a Hillsborough County Artist Grant in 2017.

The museum continues its programming with public events such as an Opening Day Talk & Book Signing featuring Joe Fig on November 16 from 1–3 p.m., free for members or $20 general admission including museum entry.

Sarasota Art Museum focuses exclusively on contemporary artists' work within Sarasota's only dedicated contemporary art space since opening in 2019 inside historic Sarasota High School with more than 15,000 square feet devoted to exhibitions along with outdoor sculpture areas.

Admission prices are $20 for general visitors; free entry applies for youth under 17 years old; active military/veterans; alumni/faculty/staff/students from Ringling College; Cross College Alliance students receive free admission with ID.

Museum hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 am–5 pm; Sunday from 11 am–5 pm.

For further information visit https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/.