Roth explores the relationship between memory—personal, geographical, and place. Within his series of small structures, Roth experiments with the elements of architectural geometry through the abstraction of reality. Within these small dwellings, he brings together a sense of narrative and culture. Robert touches on these familiar places and lived human experiences that give us a sense that we have been there before. Whether it be a snack bar on the lake or an oyster shack by the sea, Roth pays homage to these remembered places giving them importance. “Growing up on the shores of eastern Long Island, I would always take notice of these tiny gems, they seemed to have their own spirit. Yet, during the off-season, they somehow felt abandoned and discarded to me. Void of crowds, these bustling summer stands would fall dormant in the winter, much like nature hibernating beneath the snow. The harsh elements would expose their bones, pairing each one down to its simple core. For me, that’s where the beauty lies.” Roth creates “portraits” through an experimental case study approach - using painted papers and collage, capturing the essence of these meeting spaces. “I try to document these simple places, it’s a whisper that calls from my childhood memories.  To me, each structure weaves its own story, either a reflection of a bygone time or perhaps still standing today.”

Roth is particularly inspired by the works of David Hockney, Rauschenberg, Romare Bearden, Rothko, and Matisse.