Artist Robin Bell Opened New Exhibition in Washington
The exhibition showcases work inspired by the artist's history of projecting images onto the Trump International Hotel.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Fine Art
Live Poll
Do you believe projecting protest art on public buildings is an appropriate form of civic participation?
Artist Robin Bell has launched a new exhibition at the Addison/Ripley Fine Art gallery in Georgetown. The show features a mix of projection technology, painting, and printmaking.
Why it matters
The exhibition brings Bell's history of public art installations into a gallery setting. It explores the artist's intent to visualize how physical spaces are used to generate revenue.
The artist successfully executed approximately 50 projections onto the Trump International Hotel during his multi-year project. This body of work is now being integrated with traditional art forms in a formal gallery space.
The players
Robin Bell
Robin Bell is a Washington-based artist known for using projection technology to display messages on public and private buildings.
Addison/Ripley Fine Art
Addison/Ripley Fine Art is an established gallery located on Wisconsin Avenue in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington.
The details
The exhibition at Addison/Ripley Fine Art on Wisconsin Avenue displays the evolution of Bell's work from exterior light-based art to indoor studio pieces. Bell historically used battery-powered projectors from public spaces to display messages on the former, federally-owned hotel near the White House.
Timeline
Bell began projecting messages on the Trump International Hotel in 2017.
The Trump International Hotel was sold in 2022.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibition highlights the trend of protest art transitioning from transient public displays into established fine art venues. It reflects how artists adapt their conceptual work after the physical or political circumstances that inspired it have fundamentally changed.
Visitors can view the new collection during standard operating hours at the Addison/Ripley Fine Art gallery in Georgetown. The exhibition offers an opportunity to see how projection-based political art translates into traditional gallery media.
The takeaway
Artistic practice often evolves to incorporate the tools and physical environments of the day into lasting studio work. Residents interested in public art can observe how these ephemeral light installations translate into permanent pieces.
Further reading
Learn more about local exhibitions at Fine Art.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTOP.
Live Poll
Do you believe projecting protest art on public buildings is an appropriate form of civic participation?
