Compound YV presents: 'On the Mend,' a collection of work by artist Ayin Es reflecting their journey of healing from abuse, disability, top surgery, and mental illness while navigating their identity as transqueer. Many of their paintings feature Dan, a dog-like creature whose name is an anagram of a 'Non-Descript Animal,' and whose presence evokes comfort and companionship and variously coincides with upside-down rainbows, flowers, or sweets. Other works feature self-portraiture, shapes, or patchworks of garment patterns, referring to Ayin's family's patternmaking business in Los Angeles. In self-portraits, a heavy stitch across the chest is a post-transition timestamp and a symbol of the wound from which Ayin has worked to heal. Ayin says, "I wanted to demonstrate various concepts of 'healing systems' as I see them. Embarking upon this creative process served as an existential self-reflection, and in my own lighthearted way, it is my foray into reconciling my afflictions and a playful testament to remaining a survivor."
A two-time recipient of ARC Grants from the Durfee Foundation, they also won a Pollock-Krasner Fellowship, the Wynn Newhouse Award, the Bruce Geller Memorial Award from the American Jewish University, and an Artist Achievement Award from the National Arts & Disability Center/UCLA. Widely collected, their works reside in many predominant collections and museums such as the Getty, Brooklyn Museum, and National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Special Programming:
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 6-10pm: Opening Reception
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 1-3pm: Artist Walk-through of Exhibition
Sunday, January 5, 2025, 1-3pm: Multimedia Drawing Workshop with Artist
About Compound YV
Compound YV is an artist-run space and gallery based in Yucca Valley in California's high desert hosting many free and community-focused events including exhibitions, performances, artist lectures, and more. Open to the public during exhibitions in the Fall, Winter and Spring, Compound shows four distinct exhibitions per season in addition to more experimental and freeform projects in the summer and its outdoor space.
Founded in April 2018 by a photographer and a choreographer/graphic designer, Compound YV is a presentation space for artists working in various media and at all stages of their careers. Through free and affordable programming including opening receptions, educational workshops, performances, and a podcast series called Art Personals, Compound artists initiate and influence conversations about a range of culturally relevant, sociopolitical, and personal topics.
Gallery Hours: Friday-Sunday 12-5p and by appointment
Location: 55379 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Website: www.compoundyv.com