“That’s What Life Felt Like”  Roz Gerstein Retrospective at The Providence Art Club

The Dodge House Gallery at the Providence Art Club is pleased to present the first-ever
retrospective of Roz Gerstein’s long career. Brought together for the first time, this body of work juxtaposes her
social documentary photographs and figurative oil paintings, exploring themes Gerstein has pursued over five
decades. The exhibition, titled That’s What Life Felt Like, presents the artist’s own lived experience, as she
crafts provocative scenes informed by her feminist point of view during a period of dramatic social change.
Her portfolio of work is set across America, including the fairgrounds of New England, the playgrounds of South
Providence and Seattle, the coal country of West Virginia, and the Boston Common. These images depict a
diverse set of women and the common experiences of their lives, together portraying a shared female landscape.
Gerstein said, “With a camera in hand, I can capture a spontaneous moment, hold onto a fleeting relationship, or
create a lasting bond with a subject. Making art has been the core of my life for over fifty years, bringing insight,
empathy, and a deeper understanding.”
Her portraits evidence a connection with her subjects that can extend for decades. Many images are a
collaborative process, which often includes recorded interviews. The exhibition showcases these conversations in
four large lay-flat books, each presenting one woman’s story of relationships in a series of photos accompanied
by quotes.
Frequent subject and fellow artist Judy Hawkins said, “Her photographs have a reality about them that is different
from a lot of other ones—not necessarily pretty photographs. The way she made us comfortable had a lot to do
with what we could show her.”
The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 2-4 pm, as well as a talk
by the artist on March 4 at 1pm. To request an interview with the artist, a personal tour of the show, or to book the
exhibition to travel to your local gallery, please contact the artist directly.