Morning Los Angeles, How Are You?

CONTROL GALLERY proudly presents EXHIBITION 015: Good Morning Los Angeles, How Are You?, the first L.A. solo exhibition from artist Paul Flores

In a sea of exhibitions proclaiming to be “love letters” to LA, glorifying the city as it is, Los Angeles native, Paul Flores, shifts the conversation to one of frustration with the constant state of transition and change afflicting the city in which he grew up. Through a complex, layered and sculptural form of painting, Flores creates amalgamations of moments that linger long after they’ve passed.

Los Angeles is a city of contrasts: old and new, transient yet enduring. In this show, Flores explores how places—whether they’re bustling or abandoned—leave lasting imprints on our lives.  The faces of friends intertwined with strangers, the heat of a dry summer night, the smell of grilled meats wafting from a few houses down, the feeling of a forgotten neighborhood, all come together to create a narrative of nostalgia, community, and loss. Although the artist’s tone is one of melancholy, there is acceptance of what cannot be controlled, and comfort in immortalizing the memory through visual representation

This collection of works is a reflection on the people, places, and memories that have shaped my experience in this city, capturing the essence of both the tangible and the intangible. From skateboarding down once familiar streets, to the warmth of family gatherings, the quiet afternoons spent hanging with friends, and the memories of shops and diners that have closed their doors for good—each piece reflects a moment frozen in time, both personal and universal, Flores shares.

As these moments fade into memory, they remain powerful reminders of the connections we forge with our surroundings. Through his work, Flores seeks to capture the subtle beauty of these fleeting experiences, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the memories of their own lives—especially those moments that seem to exist just out of reach, yet never truly fade away.