A native Angeleno, Francisco Palomares captures his version of the city through his paintings of fruit vendors and street views of bright storefronts (such as Merry’s Flowers LLC and Botanica del Indio), adding personal allusions to his childhood through his still lifes. A tribute to his mother, who cleaned houses professionally during Palomares’ childhood, one still life shows brooms with pink bristles and a mop nestled in a vase next to peonies, a rubber glove and sponge to the side, framed in gold. An object from a past performance, a modified fruit cart in the back of the gallery space holds more still lifes—while everything was closed due to the pandemic, the artist wheeled the cart around the streets of LA, making and selling small oil paintings to pedestrians. With the words “Palomares Art Gallery” emblazoned on his cart, Palomares evaluates and redefines the accessibility to art and the gallery space in his work, pulling from both historical painting and scenes from the city.

On view through May 6, 2023
Bermudez Projects
1225 Cypress Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90065