New alt_space Exhibition in March February 13 2025
GISELA ROMERO
Boxes of Memories
On Exhibit: March 1 - April 12, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 1, 4-7 PM
Artist Talk: Friday, March 14, 11 AM
Image: Gisela Romero, Fading Wings, acrylic on canvas, 20x20 inches
About the Exhibition
Gisela Romero is an American Visual Artist born in Venezuela and living and working in Orlando, FL. Her work explores narrative through written texts, textiles, drawings, and installation. For her debut exhibition at Arts on Douglas, she presents Boxes of Memories – an exhibition about the fluid nature of memory storage, retrieval, expression and repression. Romero examines this theme through the metaphor of objects placed into physical boxes. In her exhibition statement, she elaborates:
“Each box contains a specific set of memories, some happy and full of warmth, while others may be darker or more difficult to revisit. These metaphorical boxes act as repositories for the various emotions we experience over a lifetime, holding moments of joy, sorrow, love, and loss. Some boxes remain closed, tucked away in the recesses of our minds, while others are opened frequently, either by choice or triggered by an external event. The act of opening a memory box is often accompanied by a rush of emotion, as the contents inside bring back vivid images and sensations. These boxes may also shift in their significance over time. What once seemed painful might become a source of growth, and what was once joyful might become bittersweet. In this way, the ‘boxes of memories’ serve as a reflection of the fluid nature of our emotional landscape, encapsulating the complexity of our past and its ever-changing impact on the present.”
To explore how different memories trigger distinct emotions, Romero has created a rich, immersive experience that invites viewers to reflect on their personal histories and the complex way we process and recall emotions. Her work further incorporates symbols, metaphors, and mythologies that represent themes such as resilience, transformation, cycles, and the continuity of life.
About the Artist
Gisela Romero has an MFA from Pratt Institute, New York, and a BFA degree with honors from the California College of Arts, Oakland, CA. With over 30 years of experience, Romero has been communicating and teaching visual ideas through mixed media with a basis in drawing as a medium for creating art.
Since 1992 she has been combining images and words to give drawing a narrative dimension. She has been creating art in public spaces with drawings and prints that parallel this narrative. Through mixed media drawing installations, Gisela Romero investigates the connection of memories and emotions, inviting the viewer to think and feel about their own life.
Gisela Romero's work not only showcases her technical skills but also her ability to connect art with human experiences, making her a significant figure in the contemporary art scene in Central Florida, especially in the realm of drawing and installation art.