Certain elements of our physical composition identify us as part of a group that shares lived experiences. The shapes of our various appendages passed down through billions of years of evolution place us in a species with over 8 billion other individuals that comprise the human species. In his project room show At Arm’s Length at Hashimoto Contemporary Los Angeles, painter Gabe Langholtz highlights a person’s distinguishable characteristics as they navigate common threads of the human condition, such as creativity, power, work, love, and death. Punctuated by still life scenes and memento mori, this new collection of paintings focuses on the singular arm in various actions as a motif, revealing that people may share common traits and experiences, but the narratives that shape an individual’s identity differ profoundly.
In what Langholtz describes as “naive paintings,” the pink, nude arms with tightly fisted hands border cartoonish, round, and simplified to be archetypal. This series of paintings could represent the narrative of a single individual bouncing from moment to moment, donning and shedding identities like putting down a hammer and picking up a popsicle. The uniform arm also symbolizes the traits all humans share, often used to create circumstances and selfhood unique to our lives.
About the exhibition, the Austin, Texas-based artist writes: “Through the repetition and exploration of this singular arm, I aim to challenge conventional notions of uniformity and highlight the subtle nuances that distinguish each of us. By juxtaposing similarities and differences, I invite viewers to reflect on the inherent connections that bind us together, while also celebrating the diversity that enriches our collective tapestry. Ultimately, this series serves as a contemplative exploration of our shared humanity, prompting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted nature of identity within a broader community.”
Join the gallery on Saturday, September 7th, from 6 pm – 8 pm for the opening reception of At Arm’s Length, which will be held concurrently with Mary Finlayson’s solo exhibition Flowers on the Wall.
