Seeds of Abstraction Blooms at Queen of Rogues

Seeds of Abstraction Blooms at Queen of Rogues

By Robert Brune

   The latest exhibition at Queen of Rogues invites visitors into a world where color, movement, and emotion become the primary language. Seeds of Abstraction, on view through June 28, brings together the work of artists Roberto Azank, Dan Forlenza, and Clark Stoeckley in a thoughtfully curated presentation that celebrates the power of abstract art.

     Gallery owner and curator Elizabeth Piccoli described the exhibition as a dialogue between three distinct artistic voices that nevertheless share a common visual energy. Upon entering the gallery, viewers are immediately immersed in vibrant color fields, layered textures, and dynamic compositions that encourage contemplation rather than direct interpretation.

     One of the exhibition’s most striking bodies of work comes from Woodstock artist Roberto Azank. Piccoli explained that Azank draws inspiration from the color palettes of Renaissance masters, translating those historic palettes into contemporary abstract compositions. “He uses the color palette from famous Renaissance painters and then turns it into a color wash himself,” Piccoli said. “It’s an innovative approach to color.”

     The resulting works feel both historical and contemporary. Rich washes of color float across surfaces with a fluidity that recalls the emotional resonance of Color Field pioneers such as Mark Rothko and Helen Frankenthaler while maintaining a distinctly modern identity. Several of Azank’s works are mounted on rotating systems that allow viewers to experience them from multiple orientations. “You can explore what way feels good,” Piccoli said. “Some of them are actually on remote control. They could spin perpetually if you’d like. It might make you dizzy, or it might make you inspired.”

     The exhibition’s title feels particularly fitting when standing before these pieces. Color appears to grow and evolve across each surface, creating shifting emotional landscapes that reward prolonged viewing.

     Across the gallery, Clark Stoeckley’s work introduces another dimension to the exhibition. Drawing inspiration from nature, flowers, street patterns, and contemporary visual culture, his compositions pulse with movement and vibrant hues. “The color is really just powerful,” Piccoli said. “Very color field, which is keeping the abstraction. It’s all based on flowers and nature and what’s happening right now and the energy of the world.”

      Dan Forlenza’s paintings provide a compelling counterpoint. His work incorporates geometric structures, fragmented forms, and recurring eye motifs that evoke aspects of Cubism while remaining firmly rooted in abstraction. Eyes emerge from layered planes and angular compositions, creating paintings that feel simultaneously playful and introspective. “I just love how he uses eyes, opened or closed, in his work,” Piccoli said. “They look integrated into geometric shapes and patterns.”

     Together, the three artists create a cohesive exhibition despite their differing approaches. Piccoli’s curation successfully finds common ground in color, rhythm, and emotional expression. The works converse across the gallery walls, demonstrating how abstraction continues to evolve while remaining connected to a rich artistic lineage.

     For visitors willing to slow down and engage with color on its own terms, Seeds of Abstraction offers an engaging and rewarding experience. Rather than providing clear narratives, the exhibition encourages viewers to discover their own meanings through movement, sensation, and visual exploration.

     Seeds of Abstraction remains on view at Queen of Rogues, 59 Tinker Street in Woodstock, through June 28, with a closing reception scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on June 28.