A Trois’: A Celebration of Raw Creativity and Iconography

Mortal Machine Gallery proudly presents "A Trois," a captivating group exhibition featuring the works of Colin Holloway, Isalu Ishii, Keya Tama, and Joshua Almendinger. Opening on January 17th, 2025, this show highlights art rooted in raw texture, intricate patterning, vibrant color, and evocative iconography, drawing inspiration from art brut, folk traditions, and the COBRA movement.

Colin Holloway- Joshua Tree

With rugged surfaces and tactile intensity, Holloway’s works feel like artifacts unearthed from another time. Layering symbolic elements with a sense of ritual and history, his art captures the raw authenticity and emotion that define the art brut tradition.

Isalu Ishii- London,UK

In their vibrant, gestural works, this artist subverts traditional masculine archetypes through a lens of tender whimsy and fluid identity. Their paintings of sailors, cowboys, and other historically macho figures are transformed through loose, expressive brushwork and a deliberately soft palette of pinks, blues, and creamy whites. Like David Hockney's swimming pool series or Jean Cocteau's sailor drawings, these works dance between masculinity and vulnerability, creating intimate moments that challenge conventional gender narratives while celebrating the human form in all its possibilities.

Keya Tama- South Africa

Deeply connected to mythology and tradition, Keya Tama’s geometric, bold iconography reflects his roots in street art while honoring indigenous and global narratives. His visually striking work creates a bridge between the past and present, celebrating culture while expanding its creative possibilities.

Joshua Almendinger- Yucca Valley

Almendinger’s instinctive, unrestrained approach creates artworks that exude spontaneity and vitality. Drawing on the raw energy of the COBRA movement, his compositions are emotionally charged and texturally rich, reflecting the joy and chaos of uninhibited creation.

At its heart, "A Trois" celebrates the essence of creativity untamed by convention. The exhibit embraces the unpolished beauty of texture, pattern, and iconography, offering a feast for the eyes and soul. Inspired by the visionary languages of art brut and folk traditions, alongside the revolutionary spontaneity of COBRA, these works explore shared human experiences with a visceral intensity.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday, January 17th, 2025, from 7–10 PM**, at 940 Royal Street and experience the dynamic works of these four emerging artists.

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Joshua Almendinger | Vacant Lot