September 10 - October 8, 2016

Ro2 Art
1501 South Ervay Street
Dallas, TX 75215
Gallery Hours:  Tuesday - Saturday, 12-5pm
Contact: Jordan Roth, 214-803-9575 – [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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(Dallas, TX) Ro2 Art is pleased to present Upstart Crow, an exhibition of new works in various media by Robin Ragin. The theme for the show came about as the artist was in the final stages of dismantling the studio of her mentor of 15 years, David McManaway. Through deep contemplation, she considered this task to be his last lesson in the profound possibilities of objects left behind by others, thus inspiring her latest series of assemblages.

"The works included in “Upstart Crow” came about as I closed up my master’s studio. Six years after his death, David McManaway left me the sad task of dismantling his home and studio. To empty the very spaces where we worked together for 15 years laid a crushing melancholy over me. It was his last lesson in the profound possibilities of objects left behind by others. He always seemed to have a supreme confidence in me, in my imagination, in my ability to recognize the potential in everyday objects. I must remember to thank him."


ABOUT THE ARTIST

In 1995, Robin Ragin began working in the studio with artist David McManaway. McManaway was renowned for his use of assemblage and his ability to breathe new life into discarded objects. Ragin and McManaway worked together up until his passing in 2010. In honor of his memory and the bond that they formed while working together in the studio, Ragin continues to present her own unique interpretations in assemblage works, all of which have been created since McManaway's passing. Her intent is to explore the profound influence that objects can have on us and challenge our perceptions of value and obscurity. These objects are immediately whimsical, mischievous and a true testament to what it means to have a mentor.

Robin Ragin lives and works Dallas and has practiced art for the majority of her life. Ragin studied fine art at Harford College, Baltimore, MD, Richland College, Dallas, TX, and the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. She also studied interior design at UCLA. Since it’s inception in 1994, Ragin has exhibited in several invitational and juried exhibitions in Dallas, and in 2013, presented Homage to a Mentor at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary. Her work is included in several important private and corporate collections.


About Ro2 Art

Mother-and-son partners Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth operate Ro2 Art, a contemporary fine art gallery located in The Cedars Neighborhood near Downtown Dallas, representing a diverse group of emerging, mid-career, and established contemporary artists – many with ties to the North Texas Region. The gallery regularly collaborates with organizations such as The MAC, Downtown Dallas, Inc., and The Town of Addison, as well as maintaining an exhibition program within he Magnolia Theatre at West Village and other satellite venues. Ro2 Art has been named Dallas Observer's Best Art Gallery and was presented with the 2012 Obelisk Award for small business by the North Texas Business Council for the Arts. Ro2 Art is a proud member of CADD< the Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas and has exhibited at The Dallas Art Fair for three years. For more information, visit www.ro2art.com or call Jordan Roth at (214) 803-9575.

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Contact:
Jordan Roth, Ro2 Art
214.803.9575 [email protected]
www.Ro2art.com
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