In his latest body of work, Rothel continues to explore fleeting moments of human experience. Paradoxically mundane and fantastical, the figures within each painting appear to be trapped within the worlds of Rothel’s creation. The works delve into the artist’s creative subconscious, negotiating the familiar and the surreal, and exploring the dexterity of the human figure within varying landscapes. Prompting dialogue with its viewers, ‘Corporeal’ presents rich and overlapping narrative.
Rothel’s practice often begins with capturing reference imagery from everyday life. Taking a photo of someone allows him to slow down and see the beauty in these fleeting moments; the way in which the figure moves or the way the fabric they are wearing warps in the light. By integrating these mundane references into imaginary worlds, Rothel can navigate – and sometimes escape – his everyday life.
This interplay between the objective and subjective is explored as a means for Rothel to conceptualise our relationship with the world around us; our relationships with objects, with each other and with broader social structures that alienate and confine.
Image: Circus Courtyard2024, oil on canvas, 160 x 145 cm
