UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION

City of Burien Gallery Program at Merrill Gardens

GJ Gillespie Art Solo Show 
June - September 2026 | Burien, Washington

Crazy Diamond #1 by GJ Gillespie. 

I'm thrilled to announce my participation in the 2026 City of Burien Gallery Program with a four-month solo exhibition at Merrill Gardens in Burien, Washington. This significant exhibition will span June through September 2026 and feature approximately 40 works across nine storefront windows.

WHERE ANCIENT MYTHS MEET MODERN MATERIALS

This exhibition brings together seven years of artistic exploration—from Greek and Roman mythology to Gorky-inspired abstractions, from Pacific Northwest landscapes to Egyptian pharaohs.

Working with my signature mixed-media collage technique, I transform everyday materials (crossword puzzles, grocery ads, colored tissue, found papers) into layered narratives that bridge ancient stories and contemporary life.

The show includes more than 20 pieces previously published in literary journals, multiple award-winning works, and my recent Best of the Net 2026 nomination for "Can't Help Myself."

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS 

Leda and the Swan by GJ Gillespie. 

The nine storefront windows will create distinct thematic experiences: Classical Heroes & Mythology Works exploring Greek and Roman narratives: Helen of Troy, Leda and the Swan, Adonis, Aeneas, Alexander the Great, and Odysseus's return to Ithaka.

These pieces reimagine ancient stories through contemporary materials—finding timeless human experiences in mythological frameworks.

The Gorky Connection: Abstract Figures
A significant grouping showcasing my dialogue with Arshile Gorky, the Armenian-American artist who founded Abstract Expressionism. This includes seven pieces from my "Crazy Diamond" series (all titled after Pink Floyd's tribute to Syd Barrett), demonstrating sustained exploration within a single artistic vocabulary.

Ancient Rulers: The Ozymandias Series 

Ozymandias #9 by GJ Gillespie. 

A window dedicated to my Egyptian pharaoh series, inspired by Shelley's famous poem about power, hubris, and impermanence. The collection includes "Ozymandias #9," which appeared as cover art for Meat for Tea Literary Journal.

Abstract Landscapes
Works connecting to the Northwest Mystics tradition—textured, layered abstractions that evoke the region's forests, mountains, and coastal atmospheres. These pieces incorporate everything from crossword puzzles to cheesecloth, building surfaces that feel both ancient and contemporary.

Contemplative Figures
Abstract human forms engaged in quiet reflection, exploring themes of memory, presence, absence, and transformation.

FEATURED WORKS INCLUDE: 
 "Can't Help Myself" - Best of the Net 2026 Nominee (MEMEZINE)
"She's Come Undone" - Finalist, Sunspot Literary Magazine Art Contest "Helen of Troy" - Merit Award Winner, Northwest Collage Society
"Ozymandias #9" - Cover Art, Meat for Tea Literary Journal
"Return to Ithaka" - Inspired by ancient Pompeii frescoes
"Woods of Honalee" - Pacific Northwest terrain landscape
"Time of Your Life"- Five harlequin figures in diamond patterns Plus 30+ additional works spanning 2018-2025 

She's Come Undone by GJ Gillespie. 

THE ATEMPORAL APPROACH
My work has always existed outside specific time periods—ancient Greek heroes rendered in Fred Meyer grocery ads, Egyptian pharaohs constructed from crossword puzzles, Gorky's biomorphic abstractions built with tissue paper and spray paint.

This "atemporal" approach acknowledges that human experiences—love, loss, ambition, mortality, transformation—transcend historical boundaries. The titles, drawn from rock and pop music (The Guess Who, Pink Floyd, Van Morrison, The Beatles, Weezer), add another cultural layer, connecting ancient narratives with modern soundtracks that have themselves become timeless.

PRACTICAL DETAILS
Location: Merrill Gardens, Burien, Washington Dates: June - September 2026 (4 months) Installation: June 6-7, 2026 Format: Nine storefront windows, salon-style groupings Total Works: Approximately 38-42 pieces Viewing: Accessible from street (24/7 viewing through windows) Artwork Information: Each window will feature a QR code that visitors can scan for detailed information about the pieces, including dimensions, materials, publication history, and pricing. This allows me to keep information current throughout the four-month exhibition.

WHY THIS EXHIBITION MATTERS
This show represents several milestones converging:

• My recent achievement of 200+ publications in literary journals and magazines Recognition as a Best of the Net 2026 nominee
• Seven years of sustained artistic development (2018-2025)
• 40 pieces demonstrating the breadth of my practice
• A four-month duration providing significant community exposure
• Partnership with the City of Burien's established gallery program

It's also a celebration of the unique space I've carved out in contemporary art—bridging the literary journal world (where visual art and poetry often intersect) with gallery exhibitions, connecting ancient mythology with modern materials, and honoring both the Northwest Mystics tradition and mid-century abstract expressionism.



ARTIST BIO
I'm a mixed-media collage artist living on Whidbey Island, Washington. My work  has received 23 art awards and appeared in 70+ exhibitions and 200+ literary journals and art magazines. I'm also the founder of Leda Art Supply (an international sketchbook company) and The Creativity Initiative (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting art education and supply accessibility). My artistic practice draws inspiration from:

The Northwest Mystics (Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, Kenneth Callahan) Mid-century Abstract Expressionism (especially Arshile Gorky) Greek and Roman mythology Rock and pop music from the 1960s-70s The Pacific Northwest landscape and culture

OPENING DETAILS TBA
I'll announce specific opening reception details (if scheduled) as we get closer to June 2026. The exhibition will be installed over June 6-7, with the full show accessible throughout the summer months.

STAY CONNECTED
For updates as installation approaches:
 Follow this website for announcements
Email me at garjog@gmail.com with questions
Watch for social media posts as June approaches

This exhibition represents years of work, hundreds of hours in the studio, and countless explorations of how ancient stories continue to resonate in our contemporary moment. I'm grateful to the City of Burien for this opportunity and excited to share this body of work with a broader audience.

Note: Specific artwork selections and window arrangements may evolve as we approach installation in June 2026. Final details will be confirmed in late spring.

For more information about my work, visit the Portraits, Landscapes, and Figurative galleries on this site.

Contact: garjog@gmail.com | 425-889-9418 GJ Gillespie Professional Artist Founder, Leda Art Supply & The Creativity Initiative 200+ Publications | 23 Awards | 70+ Exhibitions.

GJ Gillespie's Oak Harbor Studio.