Roger Herman Untitled 75

Herman has stated that he never focuses on subject matter or narrative in his painting. His only subject is painting itself, hence the repetition in his work. Likening himself to Italian painter Giorgio Morandi, Herman continues to draw novelty out of familiar subjects.

The skull is a regularly repeated motif in Herman’s work, as seen on this plate. Repetition has often helped the artist explore the nuance of a subject, and the skull’s message of transience, a modern day momento mori, is fitting to return to time and time again.