Durden and Ray

The gallery is open this Saturday 12-5 pm. And We are having a CLOSING RECEPTION on May 23rd with a performance, 5-7pm. ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sarah Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, and Levon Riggins FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

Inspired by Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort), known for healing, spiritual practice, protection, and rhizomatic growth, the exhibition asserts interconnection as a condition for collective survival across geographies and time. Artists mobilize embodied knowledge, cultural memory and dreaming to enact care, repair and adaptation. An exchange between SOIL (Seattle) and Durden & Ray (Los Angeles), linking artists across two cities through non-hierarchal collaboration. Gratitude to @davidleapman @quinnmcnichol @soilartcollective @stephanie_sherwood_art @durdenandray @maxpresneill @arezoo_bharthania @ty.pownall @dylsmack @valeriewilcox_art @reedvanbrunschot

Artemisia Rescue: Across Time and Space in Seattle Inspired by Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort), known for healing, spiritual practice, protection, and rhizomatic growth, the exhibition asserts interconnection as a condition for collective survival across geographies and time. Artists mobilize embodied knowledge, cultural memory and dreaming to enact care, repair and adaptation. An exchange between SOIL (Seattle) and Durden & Ray (Los Angeles), linking artists across two cities through non-hierarchal collaboration. Gratitude to @quinnmcnichol @davidleapman @soilartcollective @stephanie_sherwood_art @durdenandray

If you have missed our opening reception, we are open this Saturday 12-5! ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

More photos of our current exhibition, ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

A huge thank you for joining us last night for the opening of ‘Unstable Tongues’ The show runs until May 23. ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

THIS SATURDAY 7-10! ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

Hope to see you all this SATURDAY, 7-10pm for the Opening Reception of ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

We are busy installing for our upcoming exhibition which opens this SATURDAY! You don’t want to miss it… Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR OUR UPCOMING EXHIBITION! Here are some photos of the artworks! ‘Unstable Tongues’ The Instability of Language Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 Run of show: May 2 – 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Closes: May 23, 2026 Curated by Dena Novak, Jenny Hager and Valerie Wilcox Artists: Nick Aguayo, Flower Arrangement, Xixi Edelsbrunner, Jenny Hager, Michael Harnish, Benjamin Heiken, Agnes Hong, David Lloyd, Sara Mehrinfar, Dena Novak, Max Presneil, Levon Riggins, and Valerie Wilcox. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Durden and Ray are pleased to present Unstable Tongues: The Instability of Language. This exhibition examines abstraction as a living linguistic system, one that fractures, reformulates, and resists clarity. The exhibition brings together artists who use gesture, surface, and structure as communicative tools, exploring how meaning emerges from instability rather than coherence. Grounded in Jacques Derrida’s concept of différance, the exhibition approaches language as a perpetual act of deferral. Never fixed, always in motion. Roland Barthes’ The Pleasure of the Text and Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel further frame this instability as fertile terrain for visual and emotional meaning. The works in Unstable Tongues do not illustrate theory; they perform it. Through layering, erasure, and transformation, they articulate the limits of language and reveal the material body as a site of communication. The exhibition proposes that abstraction is not silence but a language of its own: physical, fragmented, and sensorial. Meaning here is built through gesture, through repetition, and through the pleasure of disintegration.

“Artemisia Rescue: Resonance Across Time and Space” is a collaborative exhibition between SOIL Artist-Run Gallery (Seattle) and Durden & Ray (Los Angeles). Inspired by the Artemisia (mugwort) plant and its rhizomatic growth, the exhibition explores resilience, interconnection, and collective survival across geographies and time. Working from the rhizome as both metaphor and method, the project brings together artists whose practices engage care, repair, and adaptation in moments of social and ecological precarity. Long associated with healing, dreaming, and protection, Artemisia anchors the exhibition in histories of embodied knowledge and cultural memory. Unfolding across two cities, Artemisia Rescue proposes connection—not hierarchy—as a model for sustaining creative and communal life. Exhibiting artists: lole Alessandrini, Nola Avienne, Sofya Belinskaya, Arezoo Bharthania, Colleen RJC Bratton, Reed van Brunschot, Chris Buening, Lee Davignon, James Hartunian, Ben Hirschkoff & Karim Shuquem, Jia Jia, Margie Livingston, David Leapman, Quinton Merada, quinn monichol, Cameron Day O’Connell, Snezana Saraswati Petrovic & Hiroshi Shimizu, Warren Pope, Ty Pownall, Max Presneill, Stephanie Sherwood, Dylan Ricards, Genevieve Tremblay, Valerie Wilcox, Tara Tamaribuchi