What are the central themes in Daniela Martén Rothe’s artwork

Daniela Martén Rothe explores the intersection of the female psyche, eroticism, and the tropical environment. Her work often addresses themes of female agency and sexual freedom as a counter-narrative to social oppression. She uses the lush, "exuberant" flora of Costa Rica as a metaphor for the primal and creative energy inherent in the feminine experience.

How does the artist incorporate "aggression" and vulnerability into her paintings?

Martén Rothe’s process is highly physical; she frequently applies earthy elements like clay directly to the canvas and uses techniques she describes as "aggressions," such as cutting holes or tearing the fabric. These acts represent a stripping away of layers to reveal vulnerability and the raw, unpolished reality of the creative process and human existence.

What is the significance of the "Hatching Goddesses" series?

In her "Hatching Goddesses" (Diosas en Eclosión) series, Martén Rothe treats the canvas as a "cosmic egg." The paintings represent the moment of birth and creation, blending religious iconography with organic, floral forms. This series highlights her fascination with the cycles of life and the transformative power of feminine divinity.

What major awards and recognitions has Daniela Martén Rothe received?

Martén Rothe is a prominent figure in the Costa Rican contemporary art scene. She won First Prize at the 2022 CROMA Biennial for her work "La Diosa Lenguona." She has also participated in the National Salon at the Museum of Costa Rican Art and has exhibited internationally, including at "The Cutting Garden" exhibition at Room57 Gallery in New York.

Daniela Marten Rothe

Costa Rica, b.1976

Lives and works in Escazú, Costa Rica

Available Sold CV

Commission

Daniela Marten Rothe's paintings explore themes of eroticism, tropicalism, and feminine energy, greatly inspiration by Anaïs Nin and iconic women like Georgia O'Keeffe and Audre Lorde. This diverse influence enriches her examination of sexuality and the natural world.

Approaching her ‘Hatching Goddess’ paintings as if they were cosmic eggs, Marten Rothe witnesses the birth of her creations, reflecting the cycles of life and creation. Infused with earthy, primal elements such as clay directly applied to the canvas, her works evoke a visceral connection between viewer and artwork. She occasionally incorporates raw techniques like cutting holes into the canvas, adding layers of vulnerability.

Grounded in Costa Rica’s tropical environment, her subjects often feature flora, leaves, petals, and religious iconography, creating a sensual dialogue between nature and spirituality. In her ‘Sensual Tropical Limbic’ series, Marten-Rothe’s bold, colourful palette and bright floral forms evoke sensuality, eroticism and themes of female sexual oppression.

A graduate in Fine Arts from the University of Costa Rica, Marten Rothe has exhibited extensively, earning recognition such as the first prize at the CROMA Biennial in 2022. She is a founding member of ‘Quiero Pintar,’ advocating for recognition of living female artists.

Marten Rothe’s work celebrates the power of female sexuality and urges society to combat female subjugation. Her art speaks to the primal, sensual aspects of human existence, transcending mere aesthetics and highlighting the transformative potential of feminine power.

Why We Love This Artist
There is something visceral about standing in front of a one of Marten Rothe’s paintings — the clay, the cut canvas, the big, bold tropical forms all pulling you in. They command your attention. She presents Costa Rica’s natural world as something charged and feminine, spiritual and sensual. Her commitment to championing living female artists through Quiero Pintar tells you everything about how seriously she takes that vision.