Under the Influence: Artists Explore Addiction and Loss�

Join us in conversation with artists Laura Quattrocchi and Rivkah Simcha, whose works—separately featured in RoCo’s fall programs—offer radically different but equally thoughtful reflections on dependence and grief. Quattrocchi’s The Loser Show transforms thousands of discarded lottery tickets into multifaceted sculptures that explore gambling, systemic inequality, and collective vulnerability. Simcha’s Unmaking My Chains, a new body of work to be created during her residency upstairs at RoCo, draws from her experience in recovery from alcoholism and her engagement with a 12-step framework.

Addiction has touched the lives of many artists throughout history and continues to shape contemporary creative practice, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. Together, these two artists offer distinct perspectives: one outward-looking, shaped by stories gathered from others; the other deeply introspective, rooted in personal transformation and emotional sobriety. The panel will explore how each artist navigates themes of dependence, struggle, healing, and human resilience through their creative practices.

This talk will be moderated by Lauren Jimerson, Hodinöhšyo:ni:h artist, trained therapist, and facilitator of transformative conversations around healing and survivance through the arts.

Learn more about the artists and moderator at rochestercontemporary.org