Michelle Roman Exhibition Opens Next Month - Interview
Next month, the Fine Arts Gallery in Casemates will host and exhibition of artworks by Michelle Roman. The exhibition will run from 5th - 16th of October.
We caught up with the artist as she prepares for her solo exhibition.
YGTV: When did you start painting and sketching? How have you managed to develop your talent as a self-taught artist?
Michelle Roman: I began my journey just before the world fractured into lockdown, starting simply with graphite and a blank page. During the pandemic I started to spend more time alone and at home; creating art and trying to find my style.
For years, I strictly worked in ink, stripping away colour to focus entirely on the stark contrast of light and shadow. In that quiet isolation, I began obsessively sketching skull and skeleton studies—learning the structural architecture of mortality to find my true voice in dark art.
It was only about a year ago that I finally introduced paint, slowly teaching myself to breathe life and texture into the bones I had spent years mastering. When I began sharing this evolution, the response was immediate; people connected with my artworks; asking to hang these shadows on their walls or carry my skeletal designs permanently on their skin.
YGTV: Why is now the right time for you to have a solo exhibition? What are your feelings ahead of the opening evening?
Michelle Roman: Having a solo exhibition right now feels like the perfect step because life is offering a wonderful opportunity, and I’ve learned that you shouldn't wait to embrace those moments. In a world currently saturated with AI and artificial things, experiencing real, tactile, human-created art feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air. I wanted to experience a real-life exhibition and share something tangible with the world.
As an introvert, the idea of organizing a big event and being surrounded by large crowds can sometimes be a challenge for me. However, I feel completely different when it comes to art and being around like-minded people—there is a shared energy that makes the vulnerability worth it.
I still have so much to learn, and I don't consider myself a professional artist. But I deeply enjoy the journey of creating. Stepping out of my comfort zone to do this solo show is a way to challenge myself and push my art even further.
Ahead of the opening evening, I am feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. Ultimately, I hope this exhibition will serve as an inspiration to other quiet or emerging artists, encouraging them to be brave, take up space, and share their unique voices with the world.
YGTV: On Instagram, your name is @ladymacabre.art - what role does the macabre play in your work? How do these images of skeletons help you tell a story?
Michelle Roman: My name, @ladymacabre.art, actually has its roots in my past martial arts training. Back when I used to train, some of the guys at the club called me "Dark Lady," and, over time, I combined that fierce nickname with my natural gothic-romantic artistic style to create my identity.
The macabre in my work isn’t about fear; it’s about embracing and exploring the profound darkness that exists alongside the light—the ultimate yin and yang of existence. Skeletons serve as the perfect vehicle for this storytelling. They represent both life and death—a visual manifestation of Memento Mori (remember you must die) paired intimately with Memento Vivere (but don't forget to live). Death is the only certainty we have; but my art is a reminder not to forget to truly live, appreciating the delicate balance of nature and existence.
By stripping away the flesh and exposing the bone, I am removing the physical mask of humanity. It is a reminder that beneath our skin, our social status, and our external differences, we are all equal. We will all eventually return to dust. This anatomical unveiling strips away ego and highlights our deep, fundamental need for human connection and love.
As a spiritual person, I believe we are far more than just our temporary physical vessels—we are pure energy. Skeletons represent the soul's enduring architecture. I’ve found that because my work tackles these deep spiritual truths, it deeply resonates with people. It has unexpectedly become a profound source of comfort and healing for many who are navigating the heavy waves of grief, showing them beauty in the cycle of life, darkness, and loss.
YGTV: Why is this style important to you? Is it connected to what you like in the spheres of music and fashion?
Michelle Roman: This gothic-romantic style is important to me because it is a direct reflection of my life experiences, my soul, and my personality. It isn't a trend I follow; it's simply who I am. My drive to create runs deeply in my blood—my father was an artist, and seeing his works was a massive inspiration for me. While he didn't create in the gothic style, witnessing his creativity sparked my own artistic journey and left a lasting impression on how I view the world.
My personal style eventually evolved through the art, books, and films that shaped me, most notably the work of Tim Burton. I have always been completely fascinated by his dark, whimsical art, and that influence naturally breathes through my own creation.
Music is also a massive part of my creative energy. I mostly find myself immersed in the atmospheric depths of rock, metal, gothic, and dark-wave music, using those rich moods to fuel the emotional landscape of my artwork.
When it comes to fashion, I don't follow trends. My personal style is an extension of my art. I buy from a few specific brands that focus on quality, but I mix everything without rules—blending whimsical goth, punk, rock, classic, and sporty elements into my own alternative look.
It’s an intuitive, lawless way of expressing myself. In fact, I’ve been thinking about translating this philosophy into designing and creating my own clothing collection in the future—but that is a completely different project for another day.
