A Deep Dive into Memory, Persistence, and the Unfinished Story at Riverside Gallery
In the heart of Hackensack, New Jersey, the Riverside Gallery is set to unveil a compelling new solo exhibition, “Where We Left Off,” by the talented Korean American artist Jamie Joe. Running from May 8 to May 17, 2025, this exhibit offers a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and the local community to engage with Joe’s powerful exploration of memory, emotion, and the human experience.
The Riverside Gallery: A Creative Hub in Hackensack
Located in the bustling heart of Hackensack, Riverside Gallery has long been a beacon for contemporary art lovers, serving as a space where both emerging and established artists can showcase their work. The gallery, known for its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to fostering artistic expression, provides an intimate setting for art lovers to connect with meaningful, thought-provoking pieces.
Hackensack itself, a city rich in history and cultural diversity, offers the perfect backdrop for Riverside Gallery’s exhibitions. Situated just a short distance from New York City, the gallery serves as a vibrant part of the region’s dynamic arts scene. With a focus on diverse mediums and a wide range of artistic practices, the Riverside Gallery continues to be a major player in the New Jersey art world, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the region’s creative pulse.
“Where We Left Off” – An Exploration of Memory and Emotion
At the core of Jamie Joe’s new exhibition is the idea of suspended moments—those spaces in life where time seems to pause, where memories and emotions hang in the air, unresolved and yet alive with possibility. Through this collection, Joe delves into the liminal spaces between the past and the present, the conscious and the subconscious, exploring the places where memory surfaces and where feelings, often unspoken, quietly persist.
Joe’s work is deeply personal, yet universal. As a Korean American artist, her paintings reflect not only her own experiences but also the shared narratives of migration, identity, and belonging. Her abstract and figurative style captures the fragility of human memory—how it can be vivid one moment and blurry the next, how stories are left unfinished, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not.
The Intersection of Personal and Collective Experience
Joe’s paintings are a dance between personal recollection and collective experience. Using a blend of abstraction and expressionism, she creates works that are at once deeply introspective and broadly relatable. Each piece serves as a fragment, a puzzle piece of the psyche, shedding light on moments that are often left unsaid or hidden beneath the surface.
The exhibition title, “Where We Left Off,” speaks to the spaces between narrative chapters, where the viewer is invited to complete the story. Her brushstrokes reflect the delicate tension between pause and persistence—the times when something is left hanging in the air, neither fully resolved nor entirely abandoned.
For those attending the exhibition, this experience will feel like stepping into a world of emotions that are yet to be fully understood—where longing, nostalgia, and yearning are intertwined with the artist’s search for clarity. The works are a silent dialogue, offering viewers a chance to confront their own memories and experiences, to see themselves reflected in Joe’s vivid fragments.
The Impact of Jamie Joe’s Artistic Voice
Jamie Joe’s ability to communicate complex emotional states through her paintings makes her a standout in the contemporary art scene. With a focus on psychological depth and emotional resonance, her work provides a raw, unfiltered view into the human experience. Each painting is layered not only with color but with the weight of feeling, inviting viewers to ponder the connections between their own lives and the narratives Joe creates.
Her unique voice as a Korean American artist brings an additional layer of richness to her work. Themes of identity, heritage, and migration often surface, providing a deeper understanding of the artist’s background and the personal struggles she navigates in relation to her cultural history. But beyond her individual story, Joe’s work transcends the personal, offering a space for collective reflection and universal emotion.
Why You Should Visit Riverside Gallery
If you’re an art lover or someone seeking to explore the intricate world of memory, identity, and human experience, Jamie Joe’s “Where We Left Off” exhibition at Riverside Gallery is not to be missed. The gallery’s intimate setting allows visitors to engage deeply with the art, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the artist’s emotional landscape and explore the suspended spaces where memories linger and histories unfold.
The show runs for just ten days—from May 8 to May 17, 2025—so mark your calendars and plan a visit to Riverside Gallery in Hackensack. With its accessible location and welcoming environment, the gallery offers a perfect escape into the world of contemporary art, making it a must-see stop for locals and visitors alike.
Details for Visiting Riverside Gallery:
- Exhibition Name: “Where We Left Off” – A Solo Exhibition by Jamie Joe
- Dates: May 8-17, 2025
- Location: Riverside Gallery, Hackensack, NJ
- Admission: Free (Donations encouraged)
Riverside Gallery is open to the public throughout the week, with special opening hours during the exhibition period. The gallery also offers regular events and artist talks, providing an opportunity to meet artists and discuss their work in a more personal, intimate setting.
Don’t miss your chance to witness the powerful and evocative work of Jamie Joe, and experience first-hand how art can give voice to the silent, unresolved parts of our shared humanity.