Gallery 440's Newest Exhibition

This Never Happened — Curated by melovelo — is an immersive group exhibition showcasing five artists whose practices traverse medium, meaning, and memory. This eclectic lineup brings together work that is rich in color, texture, and emotion — drawing viewers into worlds that feel imagined but somehow lived.

Heather Alford fuses analog rebellion and sculptural nostalgia through her night club and punk-inspired cyanotypes and interactive retro sculptures. Drawing from counterculture ephemera and political unrest, her work acts as a time capsule of resistance — part protest, part pop, all deeply personal.

Jana Reneé explores the duality of softness and power in her oil paintings of figural women. Her subjects radiate a confident, often suggestive femininity, reclaiming the gaze and honoring the sacredness of suggestion through a bold, painterly lens.

Austin Fields captures movement and intuition in her “Touch Series,” a collection of hand-blown glass forms shaped mid-melt by deliberate contact. Her process balances spontaneity with control, resulting in organic sculptures that feel as alive as they are fragile — a dance of heat, gravity, and gesture.

Tatyana Jefferson of French75Studios creates illustrations and prints that blend retro vibes with contemporary culture. Her work evokes a deep sense of nostalgia while celebrating the vibrancy of modern life — presenting playful, heartfelt interpretations of everyday moments that feel both timeless and timely.

Apothicc Studios flips domestic fiber art on its head with hilariously irreverent tufted wool wall hangings. Using vibrant colors, layered textures, and graphic patterns, Apothicc turns comedy and chaos into tactile form — creating pieces that are both visual punchlines and intricate works of craft.

PLUS -  a DJ set by our resident DJ melo!

Together, these five artists unravel and reimagine what is “real,” constructing a playful and poignant collective hallucination. This Never Happened challenges memory, mocks reality, and invites viewers to get lost in the in-between.

Austin Fields, a native of Texas, has developed a rich exploration of light, reflection, and abstraction through her roles as a fine artist, photographer and glassblower. 

She earned her BFA in Glass and Sculpture from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2017 and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career as a glass artist and creator. 

Austin's technique involves sculpting hot glass in a spontaneous and organic manner, with her pieces often echoing the natural curves of the human form, while drawing inspiration from landscapes, lightscapes, and dreamscapes. Her work is showcased in various galleries nationwide including the Sarasota Art Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art Gallery, as well as private and corporate collections such as Mercedes-Benz and numerous private residences.

"Based in Fort Worth, my artistic practice is driven by the dynamic energy of an overactive ADHD mind and a deep-rooted inspiration from my formative years. Growing up surrounded by the raw, inventive spirit of punk music, I developed a profound appreciation for the interplay between creativity and rebellion. This early exposure continues to inspire and influence my work, infusing it with a sense of spontaneity and boldness. My art reflects a constant exploration of diverse themes and techniques, capturing the vibrancy and unpredictability of my thoughts. Each piece is an expression of my evolving ideas, blending elements in a way that mirrors the energetic creativity I encountered during my youth. Through my work, I aim to convey a fresh perspective and invite viewers to engage with the world in a new light, drawing on the innovative spirit that has been a driving force throughout my artistic journey."