In The Eyes
Taylor Thomas
April 28 - May 8, 2026
Reception: May 1, 5-7pm
Strata Gallery presents Emerging Member solo exhibition, In The Eyes by Los Angeles based artist Taylor Thomas. The exhibition opens April 28th, with a special reception on May 1st from 5-7pm. The exhibition will be on view from April 28 - May 8.
Sourced from her grandmothers’ photo archives and the archive of Film & Television media, Taylor Thomas questions the influence of external representational systems on the Black family. In her paintings, Thomas paints the skin of her subjects with chrome paint, a nod to television static and the ambiguous nature of knowing an “other”. Thomas’ collages explore the relationship between skin and body and interiority and exteriority as she abstracts the faces of members of Black Hollywood along with members of her own family into pixelated squares.
While within the context of Film & Television, pixilation and static signal moments of visibility disrupted, Thomas uses these tools to encourage viewers to recognize their active participation in the function of perceiving as a bridge to connection despite complete understanding. She references the parts that make up the whole, and the spaces between legibility and abstraction that might inspire connection.
Thomas began her career developing feature films. However, a lack of diversity drove her to the visual arts. She earned her MFA from CalArts in 2025. This is her first solo show in New Mexico.
Strata Gallery is open from 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday – Saturday. For more information about Strata Gallery, the current exhibit, and the future schedule of events, please visit the Strata Gallery website and Instagram.
Taylor Thomas, Tea Time, 24 x 30 inches, painting, acrylic and chrome paint, 2026
Taylor Thomas, Grid #3, 8 x 8 inches, collage, paper and wood, 2026
Taylor Thomas, Composite #2, 23 x 37 inches (approx), collage, paper and metal rings, 2025
Emerging Artist Program:
This project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.