Joy Machine proudly announces the opening of Feel Free, a collective exhibition showcasing innovative works by artists Rachel Hayden, Paulina Ho, Hanna Lee Joshi, and Jeremy Miranda. The exhibition will kick off with a reception on May 15, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The human instinct to impose order and seek clarity amidst chaos is a timeless endeavor. Throughout history, we have strived to comprehend a world where certainty is elusive. As the adage goes, change is the only constant, suggesting that our perceptions of control are often mere illusions. Feel Free presents four artists confronting this enduring conflict. They embrace the inevitability of change, highlighting fleeting moments of understanding that momentarily lead us to think we have grasped the complexities of life.
Hayden's work is characterized by her unique ability to imbue flowers, plants, and insects with human emotions, often reflecting feelings that are hard to articulate. She describes her art as a means to reclaim control in situations that feel overwhelmingly chaotic. In this exhibition, she intertwines fruit and figures with a picnic blanket's checkerboard pattern, using color to blur the lines between the two. This interplay captures those rare moments when disparate elements converge, creating a striking harmony.
Joshi, blending gouache and colored pencil, mirrors complex experiences through her signature nude figures. In her piece "Held like a flower," an anonymous woman with flowing black hair gazes at a single flower, with thin vines echoing the delicate gestures of her fingers, suggesting a profound connection between the two.
Ho, who typically uses acrylics on canvas, explores new territory with textiles sourced from thrift shops, crafting soft landscapes inspired by her travels. This fresh approach, influenced by her time in Joseph, Oregon, and Andalusia, captures movement and transformation, reflecting the cyclical nature of life.
Miranda captures ephemeral moments in his work, depicting a stock pot over a roaring flame and plump asparagus tied together. His wet-sanding technique reveals the layers of life within his paintings, acknowledging that the creation of art is influenced by more than just personal desires, but also by the fluidity of memory and material.
Feel Free will be on display from May 15 to June 27, 2026, inviting viewers to engage with the intricate relationship between chaos and control in our lives.