At Night Owl Gallery, we are committed to showcasing artists whose work challenges, celebrates, and reimagines the world around us. As part of our mission to uplift historically underrepresented voices—especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community—it’s an honor to present “Repeat After Me” by David Ayala and “Held in Color” by Yamah, two simultaneous solo exhibitions opening during Pride Month!
Together, these two exhibitions explore the intersection of identity, care, queerness, and aesthetics in very different—but deeply complementary—ways.
In “Held in Color,” Yamah’s fiber-based works bring softness to the forefront as both an aesthetic and political statement. Using punch needle embroidery, natural dyeing, and hand-sewn techniques, Yamah’s creations blur the line between function and art. Their vibrant color palettes and bold textures celebrate the beauty in everyday rituals, centering tenderness, queerness, and visibility through tactile engagement.
In “Repeat After Me,” David Ayala’s rich, sensual paintings explore the tension between Christian iconography, queer desire, and historical representation. Through traditional oil painting layered with unexpected materials like nail polish, glitter, and glass beads, Ayala transforms familiar imagery into shimmering, subversive works of resistance and reclamation. Their practice probes the space where reverence meets radical reimagining.
Though the mediums differ—they have their depth and texture in common—both artists offer deeply personal and visually immersive experiences. They speak to queerness as something felt and lived; expressed through intimacy, devotion, beauty, and form. These exhibitions are not only a celebration of identity and expression but a testament to the richness of Baltimore’s queer art scene.
We invite you to experience these two powerful solo shows in conversation with one another. Join us in honoring Pride Month by supporting artists who continue to carve out space for joy, complexity, and unapologetic visibility.
