Monique Rollins’ Abstract Resilience 

In a wild swirl of color, rope, fabric, and brushstrokes, Monique Rollins tells a story of beauty and resilience. Her solo exhibition at Dimmitt Contemporary Art, “No Turning Back,” explores the emotional terrain of caregiving and motherhood while speaking to the struggle for balance in everyday life.

Rollins, based in Italy, is a student of the Venetian Renaissance and abstract expressionism, which is made clear by the first work visible upon entering the West Sixth gallery: a large-scale abstract canvas. The size and bold palette immediately draw the viewer in, creating the sensation of being absorbed into the piece itself. This commanding introduction sets the tone for the exhibition as bold and expressive.

Before stepping into the main gallery, visitors encounter a series of paper and acrylic collages. These smaller works, with their sharp lines and bold colors, evoke feelings of unease. Initially, their limited scale makes them feel less impactful. When viewed as part of the exhibition’s larger arc, however, they serve as a compelling counterpoint, adding variety and texture. 

The emotional journey truly unfolds in the main gallery, providing a glimpse into the highs and lows of life as a mother and caregiver. In Sunny, one of the most engaging works in the show, a bright palette and flowing fabric initially suggest harmony, but closer inspection reveals rope ends that fray and break, continuing in altered shades. This subtle imperfection underscores a larger theme of resilience. The strength is formed from endurance and repair, not perfection. 

In contrast, Wind and Sea takes on a darker mood. Muted colors and tangled rope loops suggest disorder and exhaustion. Fabrics and string appear almost carelessly attached, echoing a sense of unraveling. Together, these shifts in mood create a rhythm within the exhibition, guiding the viewer through tranquility and disarray. 

Monique Rollins’ Harmony Red Credit: Dimmitt Contemporary

The combined works of rope, fabric, and paint invite viewers to trace the artist’s process, following each color and line as if unraveling a stream of thought. In true abstract expressionist fashion, every detail has its own story, while the whole composition offers another layer of meaning. 

Rope emerges as the most striking motif in Rollins’ collages. At times, its lines carry the viewer seamlessly across the canvas; at others, they end abruptly, leaving raw edges exposed. The rope becomes a metaphor for strength – individual strands fragile alone, but resilient together.

Use of fabric intimates the artist’s struggle with domesticity and her own identity. Layered, folded, and stretched across the canvas, the materials bring depth and texture. Often, the rope and fabric interact. At times, the fabric even covers up parts of the rope. 

While the exhibition text frames “No Turning Back” around caregiving and motherhood, these themes are not immediately obvious without that context. However, the ambiguity does not diminish the impact of the work. On the contrary, the show thrives in its openness. Emotional turbulence, confusion, harmony, and resilience are universally relatable.

Rollins succeeds in creating a layered narrative that unfolds across the gallery space. From the unsettling energy of the small collages to the commanding presence of the larger works, “No Turning Back” carries viewers through a weave of emotions. Bold colors, unconventional materials, and thoughtful curation make the show both intimate and expansive. 

“No Turning Back” Dimmitt Contemporary Art, 1406 W. Sixth Through Oct. 25

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