In this video from the Beauty & The Beasties exhibition at Sierra Arts Foundation, Will Roger and Crimson Rose share the inspirations behind their artwork. Will’s photography and Crimson’s Endlings series explore themes of love, extinction, and the natural world. Watch as they discuss their creative partnership and dedication to healing through art. Video by Wenzelhaus.com.
Will Roger Explains the Inspiration Behind His Photography in Beauty & The Beastie
In April 2022, Beauty & The Beasties, an exhibition by Will Roger and Crimson Rose, was featured at the Sierra Arts Foundation's Riverside Gallery. This exhibition showcased Will’s photography series Provocative Portraits (1993-1996), Bouquets Ablaze (1997-present), and Labyrinth Walk (2015-present), reflecting his nearly 30-year artistic journey and his deep connection with Crimson Rose. The exhibition was a celebration of love, art, and healing, with Will’s works paired alongside Crimson’s evocative ecological assemblages from her Endlings series. In a video by Wenzelhaus.com, Will shared insights into his inspiration and philosophy, honoring his relationship with Crimson as the catalyst for his creative evolution.
Crimson Rose Discusses Her Endlings Series and Creative Journey – Beauty & The Beasties
In April 2022, Beauty & The Beasties, an exhibition by Crimson Rose and Will Roger, was held at the Sierra Arts Foundation’s Riverside Gallery. In this video, Crimson Rose reflects on her Endlings series, sharing the inspirations behind her evocative ecological assemblages, which depict imagined "beasties" and explore themes of extinction, beauty, and our role in the natural world. She also discusses her deep connection with fellow artist and partner Will Roger, who she credits as a catalyst for her creative journey, and her fascination with labyrinths, including the ones she designed at Fly Ranch and their home in Gerlach. The video, raw in its start and end, offers a glimpse into Crimson's artistic process and the love and creativity that fuel her work. Video by Wenzelhaus.com.
Bouquets Ablaze at Sierra Arts Gallery
I am intrigued by the anthropomorphic imagery that appears in my Bouquets Ablaze series.
Read MoreErotic Dance / Provocative Portraits Exhibition
I met Crimson when she responded to an ad I had placed in the local paper seeking a model for my photography series, Provocative Portraits. This series came to be when I was working on my MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). When I opened my photography studio in Oakland, I wanted to revisit this series as I’ve always enjoyed capturing movement on film. To capture Crimson dancing on film was inspirational.
From the moment she walked in my door, we have journeyed together to cultivate our respective artistic pursuits, as well as our combined professional endeavors. Through it all, Crimson has been my muse.
I am delighted to present select works of this series featuring Crimson for our joint exhibition, Beauty & The Beasties, at Sierra Arts Gallery in Reno for the month of April.
Labyrinth Walk Series
I will be presenting select photographs from my daily sunset walks with Crimson for our exhibition, Beauty & The Beasties, at the Sierra Arts Gallery in Reno. It is the first time that Crimson and I have exhibited together.
In addition to exhibiting the photographs of our labyrinth in Gerlach, I will also exhibiting photographs from our weekly walks at the Fly Ranch Labyrinth. In my upcoming book, Handbook for A Burning Age, I write about our practice of meditation, ritual, creating art and the important to commune with nature. It is my hope that these photographs might inspire others to do the same.
The exhibition runs the entire month of April with an artist reception on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Burning Man Exhibition at Reno Airport
In 2005, Reno-Tahoe International opened the Connector Collections Gallery as a means to celebrate the cultural heritage and artistic development of the Northern Nevada region, and to expand the artistic experience and enjoyment of Reno-Tahoe International's customers, tenants and employees. The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority is proud to be a community partner within the Reno-Tahoe region in hosting local entertainment events, adding enjoyment to the travel experience.
The Burning Man exhibit is curated by Maria Patridge of the Sierra Arts Foundation. The exhibition features the photography of Will Roger, Eleanor Preger and others. The exhibition runs from August thru December 2021.
Image by Eleanor Preger