Sarasota Art Museum presents never-before-seen installation by
Tampa native artist Selina Román
“Abstract Corpulence” blends photography, abstraction and self-portraiture to explore and challenge conventional ideas of beauty.
SARASOTA, FL. (August 5, 2025) – Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) presents Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence, a never-before-seen exhibition, which draws from the artistic genres of photography, self-portraiture and installation to explore and challenge conventional ideas of beauty and the plus-sized female body. Debuting new photographs, this commanding installation transforms the gallery into a space of assertion, beauty and dreams, where vulnerability and power coexist in harmony. Curated by Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D., senior curator at Sarasota Art Museum, Abstract Corpulence will be on view in the B. Claire Rusen Gallery at SAM August 31-March 29, 2025.
Using her own body as the subject, Román creates tightly-cropped compositions that deconstruct the human figure into a series of abstract shapes and forms. Wearing pastel bodysuits and tights, the artist transforms her flesh into undulating landscapes and still-life compositions by photographing her body in a series of unconventional postures. The result is an intimate, provocative and dreamlike installation that invites viewers to consider the human figure from a point of true abstraction and inquiry.
“This evocative installation teamed with Roman’s new abstract photographs explores notions of beauty, the politics of body size and the gaze, while refusing reductive narratives,” says Yoon. “Román offers an unapologetic embrace of what she calls the ‘absolute bigness’ of her body. Imagine the artist twisting and contorting herself in the studio, searching for new ways to see and reimagine her own corporeal form – constrained by, and simultaneously liberated through, the lens of her camera. In this act of self-discovery and critical, yet tender, investigation, she reveals unexpected contours and shapes of delight, inviting the viewer to discover them alongside her. Roman’s singular visual language, rooted in humor, defiance and critical analysis of our popular culture, defines Abstract Corpulence, her most ambitious solo exhibition
to date.”
Román has long been interested in portraiture, often choosing women as her models. According to the artist, she loves photographing people, putting her subjects in strange positions, and emphasizing the essence of the portrait through fashion and prop selection. In this exhibition, however, it’s the artist herself, who is in the crosshairs of the camera lens. Román says she has avoided self-portraiture for years, but now finds the approach freeing both artistically and psychologically.
“I think self-portraiture may be the most challenging genre of artmaking,” shared Román. “To turn the camera on ourselves takes a good deal of bravery. In these images, we reveal ourselves in a multitude of ways.”
Dye sublimation on aluminum. Courtesy of the artist.
Roman’s evolving artistic process has led to a shift from single-frame photography to composite images that border on collage. This new approach allows for greater control and scale, resulting in photography that is at once meticulously crafted and emotionally raw.
“Here, my body is the environment,” Román explains. “It’s too big again, but this time, that’s the point. This is what I want people to feel: that bigness is not a flaw. It’s a presence.”
While Roman’s newest exhibition is very personal, it’s also widely accessible.
“I find it thrilling when people connect with the art on view and bring their own experiences, memories and stories to the work,” shared Román. “I create the initial meaning, and then my viewers create their own layers of meaning.”
“This exhibition is another example of how, as part of Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota Art Museum is able to draw on the talents and expertise of our accomplished colleagues to ensure that our exhibitions are exciting and compelling,” shared Executive Director Virginia Shearer. “In the past, we’ve been able to engage the talents of faculty like Joe Fig (Contemplating Vermeer, 2024) and Jamie DeRuyter (Future Now, 2025). This season, we are pleased to be bringing these wonderful photographs by Ringling photography faculty Selina Román to the Museum to share with Sarasota locals and tourists alike.
In addition to being a faculty member at Ringling College of Art and Design, Román is a proud Floridian and Tampa Bay-based artist. Her work is currently in the collection of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, The Tampa Museum of Art and Hillsborough Community College, as well as numerous private collections.
Román has exhibited nationally at institutions such as The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Kenyon College in Ohio and internationally at Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She also exhibited at Brighton Photo Fringe in the United Kingdom during the 2016 Brighton Photo Biennial. In 2017 she received a Hillsborough County Artist Grant and has been invited to participate in Review Santa Fe and Critical Mass Top 50. Her work has been published twice in the Oxford American magazine, among other publications. She currently teaches photography courses at Ringling College of Art and Design.
Related Public Programs:
Opening Day Talk and Book Signing: Joe Fig
Nov. 16, 1-3 p.m.
Free to Museum members, $20 for not-yet members (includes Museum admission)
Enjoy an engaging conversation between artist Joe Fig and Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D. as they explore the themes and inspirations behind Fig’s exhibition, “Contemplating Vermeer.” Discover the evolution of Fig’s artistic journey, the conceptual development of his “Contemplation” series and the unique insights that shaped the works on view. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or curious about the intersection of contemporary and historical influences in visual culture, this talk promises a thought-provoking look into Fig’s creative process and his homage to Vermeer.
About Sarasota Art Museum
Sarasota Art Museum is Ringling College of Art and Design’s dynamic laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. As Sarasota’s only museum solely focused on contemporary artists and their work, Sarasota Art Museum offers visitors a place to see thought-provoking exhibitions and participate in education programs that start conversations and amplify the city’s creative spirit.
Located in the historic Sarasota High School, Sarasota Art Museum opened to the public in 2019 and features 15,000 square feet of dedicated exhibition space, the outdoor Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza, the Great Lawn featuring temporary sculpture and site-specific installations, Bistro, and SHOP. Sarasota Art Museum is home to a robust portfolio of education programs for all ages, including The Studios at SAM, a vibrant studio arts program, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College, which offers a variety of courses for adult learners.
Sarasota Art Museum is located at 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida, 34236. To stay in the know, become a Sarasota Art Museum Member, sign up for Museum email updates, visit our website at SarasotaArtMuseum.org, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
ADMISSION:
Admission Information
| General Admission | $20 |
| Museum Members | Free |
| Youth (17 and under) | Free |
| Active Military & Veterans (with ID) | Free |
| Ringling College Alumni | Free |
| Ringling College Faculty, Staff, & Students (includes one guest) | Free |
| Cross College Alliance Students (with ID) | Free |
MUSEUM HOURS:
Open 7 days a week
Monday-Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm
SHOP
Monday-Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm
BISTRO
Open Daily: 9 am to 3 pm