Roth came to see drawing, just as writing, as the most important and personal way of expressing himself. There was no other medium that allowed him to directly represent the duality of describing and recognizing conscious and latent perceptions as pertinently as drawing. Often created on one day within a short span of time, Roth’s drawings are to be read as visual diaries that serve to write down emotions and draw up pictorial ideas. Working in quick series allowed the formation of flowing trains of thoughts, while the energetic quality of the drawn line translates and visualizes the current state of mind. In turn, the viewer is free to build up their own associations as the eye traces and follows the works, contributing to an essential part of the visualizing process.

Roth had been proficient in all classic printing techniques since his school days and, with the establishment of his own studio in the 1970’s, was able to optimize his working environment, allowing him to experiment independently of clients and commercial print shops. In ‘Studio Oelper,’ Roth and fellow artist and printmaker, Karl Christoph Schulz created ideal conditions for letterpress, flatbed, and gravure printing, as well as screen printing, all in one location. They were able to develop a wide range of highly experimental graphic works, where the image often emerges through the use of the print media itself.

Roth Bar is our fully functioning, site-specific bar in Somerset, created by Oddur Roth and his team in 2024 during his artist residency. First conceived by Dieter Roth in the late 1970s, the bar is a dynamic and changing installation and is a continuing element in the Roths’ cross-generational practice.

Roth Bar is open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm (until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday). A vibrant, informal celebration of the West Country, enjoy signature and classic cocktails, wine from our vineyard, and cider from our orchards, alongside reimagined Roth Bar favourites, snacks and sharing boards, pastries and sweets.