Patrick Haemmerlein, Bobby Moore, Allison Bamcat, Isaac Pelayo

PATRICK HAEMMERLEIN | BOBBY MOORE | ALLISON BAMCAT | ISAAC PELAYO

Opening Saturday, January 18, 2020

Los Angeles, CA – Gabba Gallery invites you to four outstanding new shows by four Los Angeles artists: Patrick Haemmerlein, Bobby Moore, Allison Bamcat, and Isaac Pelayo. All four shows, curated by Jason Ostro and Elena Jacobson, open January 18.

Los Angeles artist Patrick Haemmerlein’s favorite muse has always been the City of Angeles itself. In his latest solo exhibition, Ancestral Memories, he focuses his exploration on LA’s grittier corners. Alleyways, shipping containers, cranes, graffiti, and train tracks appear frequently in this collection, as does his signature “urban coyote.” Sheet music for a different classic song is featured in each mixed media piece. Each song title, such as “Castles Made of Sand”or “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” offers a different lens through which to view the work or the city.

Newcomer Bobby Moore explodes onto the LA art scene with an outstanding debut solo exhibition, Who Goes There. His paintings buzz with movement as objects, body parts, and abstract elements swirl together in delightfully unexpected ways. Tobacco pipes and daisies revolve like a pinwheel around a coyote skull. A birdhouse wearing sneakers lunges toward the viewer. The kinetic tableaus are both whimsical and hypnotic. Prepare to be mesmerized.

Los Angeles artist Allison Bamcat admits that she is “color-obsessed” and her latest solo show New Neighbors is living proof. Using gouache in a bold palette (hot pink, deep magenta, electric lime, and vivid violet) the artist paints fantastical flora and fauna. Her delicious combinations of tropical colors feel very modern and the show radiates positive energy. Try not to smile at this Color Party—we dare you!

Isaac Pelayo’s BIRDS&BEES is an unabashed celebration of lust. Luscious nude women, realistically rendered in oils entice the viewer from every panel. Pelayo plays with contradiction by sprinkling these otherwise classical nudes with incongruously cartoonish elements like birds, bees, and daisies. The result harmoniously combines the past and the present, and also functions as a reflection of early understandings of nudity, sex, and the discussion as one comes of age—as some call “the birds and the bees.”

The opening night reception for all four shows takes place Saturday, January 18, 7-11pm.  The event is free and open to the public; no RSVP required.  DJ Jonathan Williams spinning. Bar sponsored by Peroni. Limited free parking behind 3125 Beverly Blvd (enter off Dillon), street parking, Uber/Lyft strongly encouraged.

Gabba Gallery is located at 3126 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90057.  All four shows will be on view through February 1. After opening night, gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 3pm or by appointment.