Opening Reception: Happy Accidents by Joe Merrell

Happy Accidents
Joe Merrell
IAO Gallery
November 14, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Opening Reception: November 14, 2025 from 6-8pm PST

Drawing inspiration from Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s rococo-era painting, Les Hasards heureux de l’escarpolette (‘The Happy Accidents of the Swing’ or, simply, ‘The Swing’), the work in Joe Merrell’s IAO exhibition includes textile, print, collage, and a 3d-printed wall hanging. In addition to the visual art created for the show, Merrell is launching two new limited-edition fragrances.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My thoughts on ‘The Swing’ are perhaps somewhat idiosyncratic and my response to it is more emotional than intellectual.

I’ve always been drawn to this painting as a stunningly beautiful composition — it’s the sort of thing I can just stare at. The 3d-printed hanging that is the central piece in my IAO show as well as the design of the packaging of the namesake fragrance are inspired by it in a direct visual sense.

But put into historical context, the image of the opulently-dressed aristocratic woman on the swing, her lover on the ground gazing longingly up at her (and up her dress), gains a darker resonance (and this tension is where the interest lies in making the work for this show). It’s difficult for me to look at this painting without thinking about the social upheaval facing the French aristocracy later in this period. Fragonard himself left Paris after losing all of his patrons to the revolution.

ABOUT JOE MERRELL

Los Angeles-based artist Joe Merrell studied philosophy, literature, and history and The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, WA. He went on to earn an MFA in film at CalArts in Valencia, California. Based in Los Angeles, he makes video, installation, print, sculpture and scent for exhibition in galleries, festivals and museums. In addition, he has a line of fine fragrances sold under the brand “The Eyes Are Always There” that he sells online and in several perfume boutiques.

Website: joemerrell.com / eyesarealwaysthere.com

ABOUT IAO GALLERY

The Institute for Art and Olfaction’s gallery is devoted to exhibitions, performances, installations and other expressions that make use of or engage with the medium of scent.

Website: artandolfaction.com/exhibitions

This event is free and open to the public.