Storyteller: Work by Holly Roberts

For over four decades artist Holly Roberts (American, b. 1951) has explored her rich and varied inner world. With a […]

For over four decades artist Holly Roberts (American, b. 1951) has explored her rich and varied inner world. With a strong connection to nature, both human and animal, she was an early experimenter in mixing painting and photography. From painting on the surface of the photographic image to cutting photographs into transformative shapes and applying to textured, painted surfaces, there is a connecting thread that binds her work.

The narrative, or storytelling, aspect of Roberts’s art is continually evident—from inner terrors brought to the surface in works such as Bad Father to the mythological symbolism in many of her animal-based imagery. Snakes, dogs, birds, horses, and rabbits are subjects that repeat throughout her work. It is through her art that Roberts grapples with the imperfection of the world around her.

Combining training in printmaking, painting, and photography, Roberts continues to contribute to the transformation of the photography.

Funding for this exhibition is made possible by Holly Roberts, the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, and the members of the San Diego Museum of Art.

Featured at Top and Right: Holly Roberts, Angry Face, 2021. Mixed media collage. © Holly Roberts, Courtesy of Holly Roberts.
Featured at Right: Holly Roberts, Hummingbird (with Figure Standing), 2016. Mixed media collage. © Holly Roberts, Courtesy of Holly Roberts.