Top Five Exhibitions to Explore at Emerging Galleries This June
As the art world continually evolves, it's often the smaller, emerging galleries that push the boundaries of contemporary practice, creating a rich tapestry of innovative expression. A recent spotlight on several exhibitions at rising galleries reveals a diverse range of artistic styles and concepts that challenge traditional boundaries and invite deeper engagement from their audiences.
Timewaveultra: A New Lens on American Landscapes
In Asheville, North Carolina, the Tracey Morgan Gallery showcases the collaborative duo Timewaveultra (comprised of Cole Caswell and Bryan Graf) in their exhibition, “HEAVY DEEDS FROM THE BOOK OF SKULLS,” which runs through June 27. Their multimedia pieces blend photography and various materials like text and sculpture to create vibrant, layered visual narratives rooted in the American landscape.
The artists describe their collaborative technique as “a run-on sentence that just flows right,” emphasizing the rhythmic quality of their work. Pieces like Foxy Woxi (2025) shift the viewer's perception, featuring psychedelic overlays that enhance the natural imagery. This prompts viewers to reconsider how landscapes can be represented, moving beyond mere documentation to an exploration of interconnectedness and perception.
Atelier Cléophée: The Art of Pastel
Across the Atlantic in Paris, the Galerie Villa Gabrielle is home to the delicate works of Atelier Cléophée in her exhibition titled “Revealing Light: Pastel Works by Atelier Cléophée,” running until June 30. Cléophée's focus on soft pastels encapsulates a unique approach to abstraction, drawing inspiration from a rich history of decorative arts.
Her drawings echo natural elements through intricate patterns and repetitive marks, evident in works like Filigrane X (2026) and Filigrane XII, which transport viewers to serene ocean tides and shadowy desert landscapes, respectively. As Cléophée channels filigree art forms, she creates a visual rhythm that captivates and intrigues, prompting the viewer to linger thoughtfully on the compositions.
D. Jack Solomon: A Playful Synthesis of Styles
In New York, the Kathryn Markel Fine Arts hosts an exhibition titled “ALL IN GOOD TIME,” featuring the vibrant works of 92-year-old artist D. Jack Solomon until June 27. Solomon’s paintings successfully merge geometric abstraction with elements of whimsy and pop culture, creating a visual dialogue that resonates with viewers of various tastes.
His playful integration of formalist principles with comic-like motifs stands out in pieces like JAYWALKING (2018) and REDUX #22 (2024). Solomon likens his approach to a collage, where disparate styles converge to form a dynamic narrative reflecting cultural symbols, suggesting a deeper exploration of consciousness and artistic identity.
Lucas Marcos Barquilla: Corporeal Reflections
Meanwhile, in Madrid, Brispa Gallery features the compelling work of Spanish artist Lucas Marcos Barquilla in his exhibition “Rack’t carcasses make ill anatomies,” continuing through June 20. Barquilla’s ceramic reliefs reflect a significant departure from traditional anatomical representations, drawing inspiration from centuries-old scientific illustrations.
His pieces juxtapose humor with unsettling imagery, such as figures revealing their own anatomy—an invitation for viewers to reconsider the boundaries between art, science, and the human experience. The title of the exhibition is a nod to a poem by John Donne, underscoring themes of mortality and the nature of being, which contrast sharply against the humorous presentation of his work.
Max Rohr: Returning with a Vision
Finally, at Colombo’s Gallery in Milan, Italian artist Max Rohr returns to the art scene with “Somewhere/Sometime,” showing until July 17. After a brief hiatus, Rohr’s exhibition features nearly two dozen vibrant canvases and watercolors, including previously unseen pieces from earlier in his career.
His painting Bring me back home (2025) exemplifies his hallmark style, blending dreamlike imagery with layered narrative aspects that interrogate memory and identity. Rohr's creative process, influenced by Nordic aesthetics, produces a striking visual language that captivates and compels attendees to engage in introspection.
These five exhibitions collectively highlight a pulse of creativity that thrives within the less-traveled corridors of the art world. For industry professionals, the significance of these emerging artists lies not only in their technical prowess but also in their ability to provoke discussion and reflection on contemporary issues. With works that challenge norms and invite dialogue, these exhibitions encapsulate the transformative power of art to provoke, inspire, and connect.