about

Artist Statement

I transform everyday craft materials (ribbon, bobby pins, ponytail holders, sequins, organza fabric and beads) into monumental sculptures and installations. Reaching from the feminist artists of the 1970s to the craft movement of today, my process reflects a desire to remain safe from the nonstop roar of the outside world. The work is a performative diary of my magical desire for the studio.

The work starts with multi-colored ribbons ranging in size from half-inch curling ribbon to 3-inch floral ribbon, organized by color and width. I then braid them by hand, day after day, taking months to create thousands of braids from all sizes of ribbons. Some are a tough as rope, and others are styled as delicately as wedding-day hair. The individual braids are then braided together yet again, with beads, sequins and other materials added. The beads are strung together like candies in my Grandmother’s cut crystal candy dish.

My work straddles a line between overwhelming sweetness and menace. The monumental creatures are beautiful and monstrous, as the girlish gems and ribbons disrupt and overwhelm the space. The scale and strength of the work belies the fact that the installation is constructed from delicate ribbons and beads.

Recent Exhibitions

2024
Self-Directed Artist Residency with Paula Roland, Sante Fe, NM

2022
“Intimaticies,” Curated by Gaby Collins-Fernandez and Patricia Miranda, MAPSpace, Port Chester, NY
MAPSpace, Port Chester, NY (includes Exhibition Catalog by Gaby Collins-Fernandez and Patricia Miranda).
Participant in the Crit Lab. A forum for exploration and discussion of experimental works in all media. NYC, NY

2018
“Finding My Voice,” presentation and workshop for the Renfrew Center Eating Disorder Treatment Center, Radnor, PA
Participant, NYC Crit Club, offering critique, dialogue, and community for professional artists, NY

2017
“Other People’s Pixels interviews Erika Roth” (interview by Stacia Yeapanis)
“Fresh 2017,” South Bay Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
“Summer Open Call” (Instagram online exhibition), Field Projects Gallery, New York, NY
Sunset Park Open Studios, Brooklyn, NY
“ArtWorks: A Benefit for Arts Gowanus,” Shapeshifter Lab, Brooklyn, NY
Gowanus Open Studios (October 21/22), Brooklyn, NY

2016
“Winter Open Call” (Instagram online exhibition), Field Projects Gallery, New York, NY
“Square Foot Art Basel Miami 4,” Aqua Art Miami, Projects Gallery, Miami, FL
“The Food Show,” Local Project Art Space, Long Island City, NY
Member Salon, Curated by Katerina Lanfranco, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Member Salon, Curated by Krista Saunders Scenna, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
ArtWorks: A Benefit for Arts Gowanus, Gowanus Loft, Brooklyn, NY
“A Preview of Open Studios Artists,” curated by Myra Kooy, Cocoabar, Brooklyn, NY
Gowanus Open Studios (October 15/16), Brooklyn, NY
Resident Show, curated by Jen Nista, Skye Schimer, and Libby Rosa, Trestle Projects, Brooklyn, NY
“The popping textile assemblages of Erika Roth,” noted in Hyperallergic Newsletter, NY, NY
“Plus One Exhibition,” Trestle Contemporary Art Gallery,” Brooklyn, NY
“A Symptom of The Universe,” curated by Jesse Firestone, Trestle Projects, Brooklyn, NY

2015
“Square Foot 3 Art Basel Miami,” Group Exhibition, Projects Gallery, Miami, FL
“Quantum Leap,” Group Exhibition, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn Art Space, Brooklyn, NY
“Shim Show,” Group Exhibition & Auction, Art Helix Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“In Missa Interfectionis, Verum: The Dance of Death, Hexes, Voodoo, Curses and Witchcraft, Re-envisioned,” Group Exhibition, Stephen Romano Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2014
“Fresh Art 2014,” Group Exhibition, South Bay Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
“Winter Secrets,” Group Exhibition, Local Project Art Space, Long Island City, NY

2012
“The Work of Women,” Group Exhibition, Gallery North, Setauket, NY

2010
“Resurrectine,” Group Exhibition, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, New York, NY
(Reviewed by Lori Cole in Art Forum, May 2010)

Artist Residency
Brooklyn Art Space, 2015-17

Education
MFA, California Institute of the Arts
BA in Fine Arts, Rhode Island School of Design

Contact
www.erikajroth.com
erikaroth78@gmail.com