Deborah Oropallo show at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

This fall, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art brings “Moving Pictures: A Survey Exhibition of Works by Deborah Oropallo and Collaborators” to Gallery 2 and other sites throughout the Napa grounds.

“Moving Pictures,” which will debut at di Rosa on Oct. 5, presents a survey of Oropallo’s work, focusing on new directions in the Bay Area artist’s practice. Since making her home in Northern California in the early 1980s, Oropallo has worked in close collaboration with other Bay Area artists and thinkers, including Michael Goldin, Jeremiah Franklin, and Andy Rappaport, according to a news release.

“Oropallo has nurtured and been nurtured by the region’s artistic communities and natural ecosystems,” said Kate Eilertsen, executive director and chief curator at di Rosa. “Her work is filled with the radical, politically charged, and uniquely personal spirit of the Bay Area arts community, offering inspiration to the next generation of artists who will leave their mark on our region. We are thrilled to present this exhibition with this legendary artist and her collaborators.”

Originally trained as a painter, Oropallo incorporates mixed media techniques, including photomontage, video, computer editing, printmaking and painting into her practice. Whether still or moving images, the resulting works bear traces of the distortions that evolve or remain from her manipulations, according to the news release. Her composite works layer visual sources, producing dense interplay between time, place, form and content, often addressing themes of climate catastrophe, political uprising and gender identity.

“Rene di Rosa was one of the first collectors to purchase and follow my work, and like many other artists, having his early support provided quite a lift of encouragement and support,” said Oropallo. “I couldn’t be more grateful to have the opportunity to show this body of work, here at home, where it all began, and among the many artists I have known since 1980. The di Rosa property provides excellent outdoor space to present some of the videos in this unique setting.”

“Moving Pictures” will be installed in di Rosa’s expansive Gallery 2, as well as other locations spread across the grounds, including the bell tower attached to the di Rosa Residence; an oak grove adjacent to the Sculpture Meadow; and a conference room utilized to house Oropallo and Rappaport’s “113” – an installation referencing the 113 school shootings that took place in 2019 and comprised of video monitors, projection, sound and six school desks and chairs.

During the run of the exhibition through March 30, 2025, select single-channel video work by Oropallo and Rappaport, and Oropallo and Franklin, will be projected in the evening hours on the exterior of di Rosa’s Gallery 1, visible to passers-by on the Carneros Highway.

An Opening Reception for “Moving Pictures” will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. General admission for the public reception is $10; di Rosa Patrons and Members are free.

Oropallo will be joined by collaborators Goldin and Rappaport, and artist and writer Monique Jenkinson, for a panel discussion moderated by gallerist Catharine Clark, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The discussion will delve into the intriguing, and sometimes messy, alchemy of creative collaboration. Panelists will discuss their work and the joys and pitfalls of working together. The panel discussion is included with gallery admission: $25 general; $20 seniors, military, and students; $5 minors ages 5–17; free for teachers, faculty, and educational staff; di Rosa Members; and children younger than 5. Tickets are available at dirosaart.org.

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is located at 5200 Carneros Highway in Napa. For more information, visit dirosaart.org.