Danielle Roberts Probes a New Era of Loneliness in 'Phosphorescence and Gasoline'
Being alone together in a suite of neo(n) noirs.
Fredericks & Freiser presents Phosphorescence and Gasoline, a new solo exhibition by Danielle Roberts, now on view through December 7, 2024. Across a suite of acrylic works, Roberts paints the haze of a hyper-digital, post-Pandemic generation, echoing collective struggles in a neo(n) noir sign of the times.
At the heart of each uncanny, everyday scene is the hum of artificial light — iridescent halos around car headlights, vibrant disco balls that silently spin and overhead lamps hung above disillusioned, Hopper-like gatherings. Despite roaring radiance, each face is adorned in a set sunken eyes and dull expressions. This dark and resonant irony of each work beckons the viewer and dares to hold them at distance, “like stepping outside a party but still hearing the music inside,” the gallery writes.
Throughout the exhibition, Roberts paradoxically captures this cloudy and acidic affect with vibrant clarity. Her compositional approach evokes a sense of fragmentation and alienation, though she composes each figure with a warm empathy. Through ethereal yet precise brushwork, the artist captures an intoxicating portrait of contemporary life, embracing the haunting beauty of our shared experiences.
Fredericks & Freiser
536 W 24th S
New York, NY 10011
