Muscle memory
Exhibition Overview
MASH Gallery is pleased to present “Muscle Memory,” a groundbreaking exhibition that celebrates queer art and explores the themes of intimacy, human emotions, and love among same-sex relationships. The exhibition showcases the works of several talented male queer artists who have skillfully incorporated elements of figurative art and historical references to create a new narrative that challenges societal norms.
Drawing inspiration from various eras of art, the artists featured in “Muscle Memory” have reimagined traditional figurative art by infusing it with a touch of intimacy and tenderness. Their artwork explores complex and beautiful relationships between men, presenting a fresh perspective on the male form and its representation in the art world…
One of the highlights of this exhibition is the incorporation of historical figures and settings, where the male figures are placed within familiar historical paintings, but with a contemporary twist. This innovative approach pays homage to the rich history of art and recontextualizes the male gaze, offering viewers a new lens through which to appreciate and understand the male form in art.
“Muscle Memory” serves as a powerful indication of how men can be seen in a new light, breaking away from traditional artistic norms. By showcasing the beauty and diversity of queer art, the exhibition aims to create a safe space for dialogue and understanding about LGBTQ+ experiences, while also celebrating the rich contributions of queer artists to the art world.
This special exhibition is curated in honor of Pride Month, a time when the LGBTQ+ community and its allies come together to celebrate diversity, equality, and love. “Muscle Memory” invites visitors to explore the intricacies of queer art through a thought-provoking experience.
Aaron Sheppard lives and works in Joshua Tree, California. His work speaks eloquently about constructing and projecting identity, religiosity, sexuality, and counterfactual historicism. His filter is the culture’s love of fame and/or pornography, mixed with the romance and perversion of classical allegorical portraiture. His lavish materiality finds a narrative function for neon light tubes, thick heavy paint, and extreme mannerism in his mostly nude figures, forcing people to deal with the inconvenient object and not just the idea of it.
David Jester, a Palm Springs-born artist with an MFA in Sculpture from Rutgers University, explores gay online life through his pool series paintings. These works celebrate diversity within the community while examining how individuals present and interact. The pool symbolizes both isolation and connection to the world, where distorted perceptions of each other prevail. Jester has exhibited globally, including at The Queer Museum in Sao Paulo and the Ministry of Culture in Mexico City. His work and interviews appear in My Gay Eye, Pink Planet TV, Toh Magazine, and It’s Nice That.
Abstract impressionist sculptor and painter Iván Madrigal embarked on his artistic journey early in life, rediscovering his passion for art while studying architecture. The Playmobil toy holds dual significance in his work, serving as both a childhood favorite and a central theme symbolizing the replacement of ego with one’s bold and playful inner child. His artistic philosophy centers on a quest for happiness, embracing values of self-discovery, celebrating existence, and finding joy in love. Madrigal aims to represent true essence devoid of prejudice or false beliefs, emphasizing a harmonious vision guided by personal certainty rather than judgment or labels.
Jon Pannier (American, born 1965) explores cultural shifts over 50 years through his New York-based art. His “Muscle Memory” series highlights LGBTQIA+ violence from the 1980s to now. As a gay man who moved to New York in 1989, Pannier portrays the impact of fear and homophobia during the AIDS crisis with portraits of brutalized individuals. Floral designs symbolically connect to the historical link between flowers and homosexuality, highlighting beauty amidst struggle for acceptance and equality.
Italian-American artist Maurizio Battifora gains much of his inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque masters and also the works of Klimt and Van Gogh. Over the last 15 years, Battifora has been perfecting his craft and now has work adorning private collections throughout Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and New York. In his latest series, he gains inspiration by the iconic Marie Antoinette and her embodiment of equality, individuality, and the power of reinvention.
Michael Vilkin’s art journey began in Beverly Hills, California, painting alongside his skilled family in oils. Influenced by Franz Marc and the Fauvists, he simplifies forms in his work. Transitioning from ceramics to psychology at Stanford and an MBA at UC Berkeley, he expressed art in construction and fine arts. Returning to painting in 2011 at the Academy of Fine Art, San Francisco, he invites joy and positivity in his art, exploring themes from numbers to bold colors. With a 43-year marriage, his art grows in their home studio, recognized in contests and private collections for its evolving style.
Vojislav Radovanović, a Serbian visual artist based in Los Angeles County, draws inspiration from his upbringing amidst Balkan unrest. His work explores beauty, environmentalism, mental health, societal change, and decolonization, often using wild plants and weeds as metaphors. Since his debut solo exhibition at fifteen, Radovanović has exhibited globally, including prestigious venues like the Lancaster Museum of Art, Bakersfield Museum of Art, and UNESCO Headquarters. He co-founded L.A. Art Documents and is represented by the Walter Maciel Gallery.
participating artists
Aaron sheppard
Aaron Sheppard lives and works in Joshua Tree, California. His work speaks eloquently about constructing and projecting identity, religiosity, sexuality, and counterfactual historicism. His filter is the culture’s love of fame and/or pornography, mixed with the romance and perversion of classical allegorical portraiture. His lavish materiality finds a narrative function for neon light tubes, thick heavy paint, and extreme mannerism in his mostly nude figures, forcing people to deal with the inconvenient object and not just the idea of it.
David jester
David Jester, a Palm Springs-born artist with an MFA in Sculpture from Rutgers University, explores gay online life through his pool series paintings. These works celebrate diversity within the community while examining how individuals present and interact. The pool symbolizes both isolation and connection to the world, where distorted perceptions of each other prevail. Jester has exhibited globally, including at The Queer Museum in Sao Paulo and the Ministry of Culture in Mexico City. His work and interviews appear in My Gay Eye, Pink Planet TV, Toh Magazine, and It’s Nice That.
Ivan madrigal
Abstract impressionist sculptor and painter Iván Madrigal embarked on his artistic journey early in life, rediscovering his passion for art while studying architecture. The Playmobil toy holds dual significance in his work, serving as both a childhood favorite and a central theme symbolizing the replacement of ego with one’s bold and playful inner child. His artistic philosophy centers on a quest for happiness, embracing values of self-discovery, celebrating existence, and finding joy in love. Madrigal aims to represent true essence devoid of prejudice or false beliefs, emphasizing a harmonious vision guided by personal certainty rather than judgment or labels.
Jon pannier
Jon Pannier (American, born 1965) explores cultural shifts over 50 years through his New York-based art. His “Muscle Memory” series highlights LGBTQIA+ violence from the 1980s to now. As a gay man who moved to New York in 1989, Pannier portrays the impact of fear and homophobia during the AIDS crisis with portraits of brutalized individuals. Floral designs symbolically connect to the historical link between flowers and homosexuality, highlighting beauty amidst struggle for acceptance and equality.
Maurizio battifora
Italian-American artist Maurizio Battifora gains much of his inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque masters and also the works of Klimt and Van Gogh. Over the last 15 years, Battifora has been perfecting his craft and now has work adorning private collections throughout Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and New York. In his latest series, he gains inspiration by the iconic Marie Antoinette and her embodiment of equality, individuality, and the power of reinvention.
Michael vilkin
Michael Vilkin’s art journey began in Beverly Hills, California, painting alongside his skilled family in oils. Influenced by Franz Marc and the Fauvists, he simplifies forms in his work. Transitioning from ceramics to psychology at Stanford and an MBA at UC Berkeley, he expressed art in construction and fine arts. Returning to painting in 2011 at the Academy of Fine Art, San Francisco, he invites joy and positivity in his art, exploring themes from numbers to bold colors. With a 43-year marriage, his art grows in their home studio, recognized in contests and private collections for its evolving style.
Vojislav Radovanovic
Vojislav Radovanović, a Serbian visual artist based in Los Angeles County, draws inspiration from his upbringing amidst Balkan unrest. His work explores beauty, environmentalism, mental health, societal change, and decolonization, often using wild plants and weeds as metaphors. Since his debut solo exhibition at fifteen, Radovanović has exhibited globally, including prestigious venues like the Lancaster Museum of Art, Bakersfield Museum of Art, and UNESCO Headquarters. He co-founded L.A. Art Documents and is represented by the Walter Maciel Gallery.
