The Exhibition:
Alfa Art Gallery is thrilled to announce “Beyond the Image: Unveiling Hidden Narratives”, a vibrant collection showcasing the true artistry of photography. This exhibition will have a virtual opening reception on January 23, and an in-person reception the following night on January 24, 2025.
Alfa Art Gallery invites visitors to immerse themselves in a vibrant collection where the multiplicity of natural, human, and even spiritual narratives intersect. The featured artworks explore the variety of artistic photography capturing the many ways a narrative can be told, through texture, nature, and observation of human activity.
Photography is an art form that so many of us use in our daily lives, but often forget about the importance. As the primary medium in this exhibition, this showcase serves to remind us all of the intricacies lined within each purposeful frame.
Each of the fourteen artists being featured within the exhibition has their own unique methods and perspectives to the art of photography that is sure to satisfy all who immerse themselves in this collection. Each piece reflects the artist’s unique approach to these themes, with some works echoing the intricate flows and textures of nature, while others explore the lines between the known and the unknown describing the complexity of storytelling.
Join us at Alfa Art Gallery to experience “Beyond the Image: Unveiling Hidden Narratives”, where a dynamic blend of technique, narrative, and emotion within photography offers a fresh perspective on how art can both shape and be shaped by the world around us.
Virtual Opening Reception: January 23, 2025, 6:30pm
In-Person Opening Reception: January 24, 2025, 6:30-9:30pm
The event is free and open from January 14, 2025 until March 29, 2025
The New Brunswick Art Salon Initiative:
Alfa Art Gallery utilizes New Brunswick Art Salons to unify the local art community and beyond. Since starting the program in 2010, Alfa has made a point to include a salon dedicated to showcasing pieces in watercolor, oil, photography, and various mixed mediums. Over the years, the series has not only exhibited works from both established and emerging artists, but has also made fruitful connections locally and internationally through its successful programs. Within this non-profit organization, Alfa Art Gallery maintains its mission to uplift artists by providing an open and innovative environment that is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural community.
2024 NBAS Featured Artists in Photography
Bob Leonard is a New York City-based photographer known for his abstract compositions that convert everyday scenes into composites. His series, including “Reinventions,” “Walls,” and “Stories,” connect thematically linked images of found objects. A long-time member of the Soho Photo Gallery, Leonard’s work has been featured in prominent publications and recognized in illustrious competitions.
Burt Allen Solomon is a New York-based photographer who has been capturing images since 1961. Primarily focused on black and white gelatin-silver prints, his work explores themes of beauty and order in everyday life. With numerous solo exhibitions and participation in group shows, Solomon invites viewers to engage with his photographs without titles, encouraging personal interpretation and discovery.
Dakin Roy is a photographer who specializes in abstract images derived from found objects and environments. His series “Relegated: a Series of Found Abstractions” distills meaning from neglected materials as subjects, inviting viewers to explore subtle emotional connections within his work.
David DesRochers is a New Jersey-based photographer known for his captivating nature photography that transforms landscapes and wildlife into striking visual narratives. His collections, including American White Pelican and Alaskan Iceberg, highlight his ability to merge the grandeur of nature with delicate details. DesRocher is a member of the North American Nature Photography Association, and his work has been featured in prominent exhibitions and recognized in prestigious international photography competitions.
Edward Volpe is a passionate photographer who has spent 18 years exploring the beauty of colors and spontaneous moments through his lens. Specializing in vibrant landscapes and dynamic action shots, his work captures the authenticity of unplanned moments. Volpe’s photography offers fresh perspectives on familiar scenes, drawing inspiration from the world around him and consistently experimenting with new techniques. He invites viewers to experience the emotions embedded in every frame and see the world in a new light.
Jane Soodalter is a self-taught photographic artist who captures the hidden beauty of everyday objects through her macro lens. She transitioned from a career in pediatric occupational therapy to focus on her art full-time. Her work has been exhibited and published both in the United States and abroad, inviting viewers to discover new narratives in the ordinary.
Jessica Margo, a fine art photographer from Belmar, NJ, rediscovered her passion for photography after a successful media career. Her work has been exhibited in various galleries across New Jersey and Philadelphia, earning recognition in national and international competitions. Through her camera lens, she captures the hidden beauty of everyday objects, transforming them into imaginative new forms. Her images invite viewers to see beauty in nature, exploring the dynamic movement of the ocean in a close-up view.
Kay Kenny is an artist who specializes in rural nighttime photography. Based in New Jersey, her work carries dreamlike qualities through the light and color of her compositions. Alongside creating art, Kenny teaches photography at New York University, and has curated several exhibitions of her own. She is also a member of local art committees in the area as a way to further participate within her community.
Neil Kohl is a documentary photographer based in Philadelphia. Recently, he has focused his skills on social justice initiatives. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions throughout the US, while also being a part of various publications, workshops, and festivals. His photographs serve as powerful visual narratives, capturing moments that provoke thought and inspire dialogue.
Pete Aldrich is a fine art photographer from New Jersey with a BFA in Communication Art from Pratt Institute. Since 2005, he has showcased his work in solo and group exhibitions. His vibrant photographs capture the unique infrastructure and spirit of northern New Jersey’s urban areas, highlighting their bold colors and quirky character.
Rocio De Alba’s latest photographic series captures the strength and resilience of women who have reclaimed their lives after long-term addiction. Through intimate portraits of women with over a decade of sobriety, de Alba shifts the narrative away from stereotypical depictions of addiction, offering a powerful celebration of recovery. Her work not only challenges societal perceptions but also offers hope, encouraging women to break the cycle of addiction and embrace empowerment.
Note: Rocio De Alba’s artwork will be exhibited in our virtual exhibition only and will not be present in our in person exhibition.
Suzette Dushi is a Turkish-born New York and Long Island based photographer whose work has been featured and collected in the US and abroad, and whose work has been published many times over. Dushi has a wide range of photographic projects and elements ranging from architecture, nature, and portraiture but always with profound emotional meaning.
Tsveta Ubcheva is a Bulgarian based photographer and artist. She attended multiple photography schools and has continued her education at Ivaylo Stoyanov’s Conceptual Photography Masterclass in a school of modern photography “Photoconcept” since 2014. Through her education and work in chemical engineering, she has come to understand the central link between art and provocation to restore harmony between the viewer and the universe.
Walter Plotnick’s Surprise Inside series transports viewers into a playful realm where anticipation and nostalgia converge. Using photographic collages of unfolded cardboard boxes, Plotnick reveals hidden moments within, as objects and figures emerge from the confines of the boxes. With a warm sepia wash and a sense of dynamic energy, his works evoke the joy and excitement of childhood surprises, capturing moments of discovery that are both whimsical and visually striking.
Join us for this extraordinary exhibition that promises to engage, inspire, and provoke thought. “Beyond the Image: Unveiling Hidden Narratives” is free and open to the public, Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 AM to 6 PM.
