Jennifer Amadeo-Holl
Judi Rotenberg Gallery
130 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116

As part of Art Bar’s ongoing coverage of the varied Newbury Street shows, exhibits and installations, Heather took a brief detour into the Judi Rotenberg Gallery. She recommends our readers take a trip, as well…

Almost daily, I pass the 2nd floor Judi Rotenberg Gallery. Though I’ve always been tempted to wander inside, the gallery was particularly tantalizing on my most recent trek down Newbury: The abstract pieces of Jennifer Amadeo-Holl (on exhibit until June 3rd, 2006) in the window invited me inside.

I was greeted by a charming associate who was eager to educate on the finer points of the art but was never overbearing. He allowed me time to linger and enjoy the artwork, understood when I had fully absorbed a piece, and instinctively knew when to approach me with additional insights. Though these images seemed “abstract” from the window, they were actually filled with much hidden imagery: Although the intense color was initially overwhelming, the longer that I looked at each piece the more these hidden images rose to the surface. In certain areas, Jennifer saturated her compositions with color, using palette knives and scratching techniques to allow the oils to drip and fade. Yet beneath these abstractions lay a trove of hidden imagery painted with such precision – and so seamlessly interconnected with the greater, abstract work – that I felt as though I was discovering a hidden treasure with each glance. In particular, I was drawn to “The Monkey’s Uncle.” (pictured below) My eye moved quickly among the eye-popping colors and the myriad hidden figures.


In addition to these intense abstractions, Jennifer had smaller work that was minimalist in execution; they were layered color and did not rage with the intensity and passion of her larger works. I wondered if a “life changing” event had occurred to create this shift in work. Though I would need to know more about this emerging artist to fully understand the minimalist calm amidst the bold storm, I was certainly inspired enough by her work that I plan to follow her career and development. I strongly recommend experiencing Jennifer’s work, and I encourage you – dear Art Bar enthusiast! – to visit the Judi Rotenberg Gallery before this exciting exhibit bids adieu.