Rose Reverie | Regan Golden

Created through a contemplative blend of lithographs, watercolors, and collages, Golden dives deep to explore the symbolism, history, and structural complexity of the rose.

Despite centuries of human cultivation—selectively bred for height, fragrance, and softness—roses continue to possess a compelling power that seems to influence us, as much as we attempt to sculpt them. Their intricate structures, dynamic interaction with light and moisture, and deep-rooted symbolic history invite more than observation. Golden’s artistic approach to capturing the essence of the rose evolved through patience and deep engagement. Through this passionate immersion, Golden was able to move beyond the conventional imagery and cultural associations of the rose to discover a more personal and transformative visual language of this magnificent flower.

With the resources from her Kolman & Reeb Project Space Grant, Golden was able to invest the time and commitment needed to work as Artist-in-Residence at the Lyndale Park Rose Garden. It was here that she meticulously photographed more than 250 rose species over the summer of 2024. This deep immersion allowed Golden to observe the rich diversity of each flower’s structure, the layering of petals, the variation in hue and scent, and the textures of stems and leaves. These elements became central to Rose Reverie, where she unveils the rose as more than just a botanical subject—it becomes a powerful metaphor for the breadth and nuance of human identity.

With the images created for this show, Golden aims to highlight the fact that no two roses are identical, crafting a narrative that explores the infinite variety of roses and illustrates how they reflect the diversity of human experience. In her compositions, the structure of the rose dissolves into layers of meaning, inviting viewers to consider how beauty, strength, vulnerability, and individuality coexist within both nature and us. To Golden, the rose does not just represent strength—it embodies complexity, mystery, and constant transformation.

Rose Reverie creates a new visual language—one that invites us to truly see the rose and consider what makes it so beautiful and alluring. This sensory experience is both contemplative and dynamic, as the rose transcends its mere symbolic nature to become a reflection of our personal, cultural, and human lives.

“Regan’s project space grant proposal mentioned how she would use the resources provided to truly explore the rose and its symbolisms. And then, with her contemporary style, she shows viewers in great detail, and on a large scale, how to reexamine the rose for its strength and vitality. I think this vision came true with her show.” says Anita Sue Kolman, Kolman & Reeb Gallery co-founder and co-partner.

Jodi Reeb, gallery curator, and co-partner, comments, “What initially drew me to the concept for her show was how Regan wanted to show how roses are often portrayed as being these delicate and fragile things. With her show, she combines a visual exploration of the rose with how music, especially a reverie, could be a curated collection of how roses are strong, resilient, and abundant.”

About the Artist:
Regan Golden is an artist and writer whose work explores the intersection of nature, perception, and cultural symbolism through photography, collage, and drawing. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, with shows at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, Gallery 44 in Toronto, and the Cue Foundation in New York. Golden’s research-driven practice has been supported by the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and National Science Foundation. Golden teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Gallery Hours:
Saturday, 12pm to 4pm
And by appointment.
Call 612-385-4239