The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art presents an exhibition dedicated to the compelling and transformative work of Clare Rojas (b. 1976). On view from September 21, 2024, through January 20, 2025, Clare Rojas: Past the Present offers an in-depth look at the artist’s richly narrative paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the past five years.
Rojas has emerged as a distinctive voice whose work bridges personal and universal themes. Her visual language is deeply rooted in ecofeminist discourse, the natural world, and literature, while resonating powerfully within the broader context of modern art. The exhibition features works from 2019 to the present, including large-scale and intimate paintings, bronzes, and an installation of wallpaper designed by the artist in collaboration with Peg Norriss x Schumacher.
“Clare Rojas’ multifaceted practice employs an expansive range of styles and inspirations⎯from abstraction to magical realism to feminist narratives,” said Dr. Katia Zavistovski, curator of the exhibition. “Her ability to weave together stories through metaphor, symbology, and fantastical imagery creates bewitching ecosystems that link the past and present, the mystical and mundane.”
The exhibition explores how Rojas deftly combines abstract and representational modes and extends the legacies of early and mid-20th century movements like the Bauhaus, Hard-Edge painting, and Surrealism. Her compositions are infused with animistic themes, revealing a deep engagement with folklore and mythology that stems from her Peruvian ancestry. Birds, witches, and the forces of nature frequently appear as protagonists in Rojas’ magical realist tableaus.
Several of the artist’s recent paintings create an immersive, self-reflexive world. Compositions reference each other and her own abstract works, connecting different bodies of her oeuvre. The exhibition’s title refers to this interweaving of past, present, and future in Rojas’ practice.
“In presenting Clare Rojas’ work, we continue the Bechtler’s tradition of showcasing artists whose practices expand our understanding of modern art’s enduring resonance,” said museum director Todd D. Smith. “Rojas’ paintings, characterized by intricate detail and an unflinching exploration of themes like identity and tradition, invite viewers into an intergenerational dialogue.”
The exhibition is accompanied by a richly-illustrated scholarly catalog with essays by Dr. Zavistovski and Dr. Jenni Sorkin, a leading scholar of feminist art and material culture. A diverse array of programs will offer opportunities for visitors to engage further with Rojas’ practice.
Clare Rojas: Past the Present is organized by the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and curated by Dr. Zavistovski in close collaboration with the artist. The show launches the museum’s 15th anniversary celebration and with it, a year of exhibitions and programs dedicated to important female artists of the modern and contemporary periods.
