Huntsville, Ala – Acclaimed Atlanta artist Rocío Rodríguez will debut her most recent works in the Huntsville Museum of Art’s newest installation of its Encounters series. Her signature abstract drawings and paintings are on view now through May 18 in the Grisham Gallery in the exhibition Encounters: Rocío Rodríguez.

Born in Cuba, Rodríguez immigrated to the United States with her family as a child. During her 30-year career, Rodríguez has created engaging works from representational to abstract. In this showing, her intriguing new series deconstructs the very language of painting, breaking down the individual components of line, shape, color and texture and reordering them in ways that question the fixed boundaries between abstract and representational space.

The ideas that inform Rodríguez’s new series initially developed through her drawings, some of which are included in the exhibition. “Drawing is the crucible for my ideas; the DNA of my paintings” said Rodríguez. “If the studio was burning down, I would rescue my drawings.”

The paintings that evolved from the drawings were primarily executed during a particularly creative period in 2013. Of these works Rodríguez stated: “I am asking myself what is the relevance of painting today? What is painting to me? I think these new works are like memorials to painting, making paintings about painting.”

The public is invited to attend a Gallery Walk with the artist Sunday, January 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art will host a reception in the Richard and Roper Room following the tour. The opening event is FREE to Museum members and included in general admission for nonmembers.

Supporters of this exhibition include Dr. Rashida Abbas and Dr. Michael Ridner of The Heart Center Vein Clinic and Huntsville Hospital, Adtran, Inc., the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Altherr Howard Design, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Alabama Media Group and The Huntsville Times, Bill Stender and Ellen Chorba, Walker Art Krewe, and The Women’s Guild of the Huntsville Museum of Art.

The Museum is closed Mondays and some major holidays. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m.−4 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. and Sundays 1−4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for military, students, teachers, and seniors with a valid ID; and $5 for children ages 6−11. Admission for Museum members and children under 6 is free.  After 5 p.m. on Thursdays, admission is only $5 for nonmembers, as part of the Museum’s $5 After Five program.  For more information, visit www.hsvmuseum.org or call 256-535-4350.

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