Exhibitions

 August 10 – September 13, 2025:

Dreams, Doppelgangers, and
Parallel Universes:
A Solo Exhibition by Perin Mahler

In Dreams, Doppelgängers, and Parallel Universes, Perin Mahler invites viewers into a fractured world where time, truth, and identity collide. This solo exhibition features twelve to fifteen large-scale oil paintings developed over four years. A vivid visual inquiry into the deep cultural, political, and psychological fault lines of contemporary America. Mahler’s work blends surrealism with social commentary, presenting anonymous figures caught between dream logic and dystopian reality.

Through spatial fragmentation, vivid non-objective color, and cinematic symbolism, the paintings mirror our experience of parallel truths and alternate identities—whether born of digital distortion, political division, or inner psychological tension. Drawing inspiration from Naomi Klein’s Doppelgänger, the exhibition explores the rise of fractured selves and competing narratives in a world where perception is manipulated and authenticity is elusive.

These paintings are not only about the world we see, but about the unseen forces shaping how we interpret it. Mahler questions the legacy of traditional history painting by re-imagining it through a 21st-century lens—where burning houses, floating books, and split realities aren’t just metaphors, but lived experiences. Dreams, Doppelgängers, and Parallel Universes is both haunting and urgent, prompting viewers to reflect on their place in a world where every truth has a twin and every self has a shadow.

Special Events

Artist Talk: Painting in a Fractured Reality with Perin Mahler
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, 2PM

In this Artist Talk, Mahler will delve into the conceptual foundations of his work. Drawing connections between personal identity, digital distortion, political division, and the phenomenon of the “double.” He’ll discuss how history painting, dream logic, and absurdist symbolism inform his visual language, and how current events like COVID-19, climate change, BLM, and the rise of disinformation shape the narratives in his canvases in dual realities. Expect a thought-provoking discussion about fractured selves, parallel realities, and the power of painting as a medium to navigate the chaos of modern life. Audience Q&A to follow.

Movie Night: The Seventh Seal (1957)
Friday, August 29th, 2025, 7:30pm

Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal is a haunting and poetic exploration of faith, fear, and the human condition. Set during the Black Plague, the story follows a knight who plays a game of chess with Death while searching for answers in a world overcome by chaos. Visually striking and deeply philosophical, this 1957 classic remains one of the most influential films in cinema history. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or returning to its powerful imagery, it’s a must-see on the big screen.

Family Friendly Event: Double Vision – Seeing Yourself in Another World
Sunday, September 7th, 2PM

Double Vision: Seeing Yourself in Another World is a playful and community event where families and artists come together to explore identity, imagination, and the many layers of the self through art-making, storytelling, and interactive experiences. Inspired by themes of doppelgängers, parallel realities, and the creative dualities within us all, this event invites participants of all ages to reflect on who they are and who they might be in another world.

Upcoming Exhibitions

2025

Long Beach Vibes (Open Call)

October 11th to November 15th

This exhibition celebrates Long Beach street culture, showcasing the raw and vibrant arts that often exist outside traditional spaces. Highlighting dynamic self-expression, it features work from both established and emerging artists who channel the energy of the streets. The show aims to capture the diverse spirit of Long Beach, blending influences from car, tattoo, LGBTQ+, skateboard, surf, and music cultures, along with the city’s rich ethnic diversity, creating a true representation of its creative pulse.

2026

Shifting Tides: Duo Exhibition
January 4th to February 7th, 2026

Explores the transformation of the Downtown Long Beach waterfront from Indigenous stewardship to speculative futures. Features multimedia, archival material, and visionary urban concepts with current components shown at Studio One Eleven.

Polvo en el Viento (Dust in the Wind): Group Exhibition
March 1st to April 4th, 2026

A cross-border cultural collaboration centered on the theme of fire as destruction, rebirth, and resistance. Pairs Monterrey’s Arte Expuesto with a physical exhibition in Long Beach, amplifying shared experiences of climate and resilience.

Off the Wall: Open Call
April 25th to May 30th, 2026

Dedicated to 3D artworks that protrude from the wall or live on the floor—pushing past 2D-only gallery norms. Spotlights underrepresented sculptural artists through adventurous, material-rich presentation formats.

PHOTOVARIOUS 2: Group Exhibition
June 21st to July 25th, 2026

A showcase of artists using experimental photography to challenge visual norms and elevate alternative processes. The follow-up to a successful 2020 show, this exhibit encourages audiences to “see differently” through immersive and interactive work.

Re-interpreting Rod: Group Exhibition
August 16th to September 19th, 2026

Local artists create new works inspired by the paintings of Rod Briggs in a tribute that blends past and present. Encourages reinterpretation, dialogue, and deeper connection with the man and the legacy behind our gallery’s name.

Local Exposure: Open Call
October 10th to November 14th, 2026

A photography exhibit capturing Long Beach’s overlooked beauty—from alleyways to train rides and neon puddles. Highlights intimate, raw perspectives from diverse artists who challenge the “postcard version” of the city.