Jaede Bayala’s Solo Show at the Holsum Gallery

Assistant Gallery Manager and Staff Writer recently opened their solo exhibition “in between place(ness)” at the Holsum Gallery on Friday, May 6th, 2026.

Bayala describes the exhibition:

in between place(ness) explores the space between abstraction and representation, questioning how a place is defined and remembered. As a Puerto Rican artist raised in the Midwest, memory serves as an important tool for reconstructing and reimagining terrain.  

Landscapes are represented in tactile materials like sand, and through sweeping brushstrokes that suggest mountains and the ocean. Architectural forms are hidden behind overgrown palm trees and defined in cracked paint. Through this interaction, I consider place not as fixed, but something lived, felt, embraced, and continuously shaped by memory and cultural experiences. 

In their work, they use a diverse range of materials to address themes of identity, the natural world, and Puerto Rican culture. Connecting with the outdoors has significantly impacted both their work and their life, allowing them to find peace and comfort. As a queer Latina, they often navigate a deep sense of in-betweenness—a feeling that art and time spent in nature help them work through as they consider the complexities of what comfort can be. Through their practice, they reconnect with their culture and celebrate its diversity. Growing up in the Midwest while also maintaining ties to an island has given them the opportunity to appreciate the differences between these environments.

The show will be on view from March 6th to March 21st, 2026, open by appointment. DM @jaedes_destiny or @holsumgallery on Instagram.