Time is Stretched Through Muted Tones in Happy Phantom @ Lowell Ryan Projects in Los Angeles

 

Erin Trefry, Causeway across the sea, 2024. Images by Charles White at JWPictures.com, courtesy of the artist and Lowell Ryan Projects.

 

Lowell Ryan Projects presents Happy Phantom, an exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Erin Trefry. Comprised of a series of eleven figurative paintings in muted tones, Trefry continues her exploration of sentiment, time, and figuration particularly in relation to familial narratives and relationships.

In this exhibition, Trefry presents her great-grandmother’s paintings, which were originally created in the late 19th century, and depict figurative scenes of romantic settings, exotic locales, and fantastical narratives. These works were passed down through the generations eventually landing in Trefry’s possession. In Happy Phantom Trefry subverts the imagery of her late relative, the paintings are presented stretched in reverse so that the viewer is only able to see the backside of the works where the paint has bled through the fabric. Behind the paintings, a layer of muslin conceals the surfaces of the original paintings.

Happy Phantom is on view through March 2 @ Lowell Ryan Projects, 4619 W Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016

Big Pictures Presents Holding Space, Their Final Show On Washington Blvd

The term holding space is often used when referring to supporting another persons emotional needs by being present for them. It can also mean creating a safe and contemplative context where sacred ceremonies can be performed. Here thoughts and emotions can be more deeply explored and appreciated. Both of these definitions describe important aspects of what Big Pictures Los Angeles has been about. The gallery has functioned as a safe place for art to be seen in real life. Always striving to be a beautiful space that uplifts the art and unifies it with the community in an attempt for all parties involved to learn and grow. Artists include: Scott Armetta, Eric Ashcraft, Matthew Arnone, Michael Assiff, Alison Blickle, Spencer Carmona, Manny Castro, Chris Collins, Brian Cooper, Joachim Coucke, Matthew Craven, Doug Crocco, Tom Delaney, Helen Rebekah Garber, Steve Gladstone, Eben Goff, Dan Gratz, Ethan Greenbaum, Kady Grant, Robert Gunderman, Aramis Gutierrez, Joshua Hagler, Julie Henson, Alvaro Ilizarbe, Samantha Jacober, Shaun Johnson, Kara Joslyn, Aaron Elvis Jupin, Lauren Spencer King, kyttenjanae, Alice Lang, L, Tyler Lafreniere, Matt Lifson, Megan Lindeman, Susan Logoreci, Brendan Lynch, Grace Mattingly, Jake Kean Mayman, Max Maslansky, Joshua Miller, Hugo Montoya, Aaron Morse, Nikko Mueller, Daniel Newman, Laurie Nye, Annie Pendergrast, Manny Prieres, Alex Jacob Reed, Alyssa Rogers, Maja Ruznic, Aaron Sandnes, Ben Sanders, Marty Schnapf, Alex Sewell, Kira Maria Shewfelt, Tosha Stimage, Erik Torregroz, Erin Trefry, Lani Trock, Dani Tull, Laura Watters, Paula Wilson, Hayley Quentin, Nelly Zagury, and Mathew Zefeldt.

Holding Space in on view through November 23 @ Big Pictures Los Angeles 2424 West Washington Blvd. photographs by Lani Trock