The Riverside Gallery will be displaying the works of Toby Gotesman Schneier, an American mannerist, expressionist and oil painter, at an exhibit entitled “Her Umbrella,” until October 24.

According to publicity materials, Gotesman Schneier is best known for her unique ability to transform seemingly ordinary objects, scenes and events into jarring and provocative works of art. Ties to her Judaism and femininity are strongly suggested throughout the paintings. It has been noted that her work evokes a poignant sense of nostalgia and sentiment in the viewer as the pieces appear to be laced with “familiarity.” Gotesman Schneier’s masterful use of color, shape and flat frontal weight has earned her acclaim among critics and collectors, who have likened her to the French Fauvists.

Also mentioned in relation to her work is the freedom, passion and honesty that is exuded in her paintings. Unbound by the conventional rules, her paintings seek to transcend the visual and take the viewer into an almost spiritual realm. From the bold brush strokes on her canvas and frames to her use of vibrant primary colors, her paintings tell multi-layered stories.

Gotesman Schneier is the daughter of Holocaust survivors as well as a recognized figure in religious and political life, having at one time been married to Rabbi Marc Schneier. As such, one can begin to understand and decipher a level of “coding” and “mission” embedded within her paintings. What has been described as “intriguing symbolism” has become a signature of Gotesman Schneier’s work.

The Riverside Gallery is located at One Riverside Square, Suite 201, Hackensack, NJ 07601. For more information visit riversidegallery.net, call 201-488-3005 or email [email protected]. For more information on the artist, visit www.tobygotesmanschneier.com or email [email protected].