Love Galore

Massey Klein Gallery is pleased to present Love Galore, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Riley Holloway. This is the artist's first solo exhibition with the gallery. Love Galore presents nine new oil paintings from contemporary portraitist Riley Holloway that explore the themes of intimacy, connection, and the subtle language of touch in relationships. By focusing on moments of embrace—whether it’s a hug, a hand resting on a shoulder, or a kiss—the artist aims to convey the quiet strength and comfort that physical closeness can provide. The figures in Holloway’s paintings are intentionally cropped, removing the context of identity and leaving only the gestures of affection. In doing so, the artist emphasizes the universality of human connection, inviting viewers to reflect on the significance of physical closeness and the ways one expresses love and care. This work is a reminder to cherish those we hold dear and to find solace in the simple act of touch. The artist works in traditional oil paint, mastering its malleability and combining the traditional technique with elements of charcoal and graphite drawing to produce bold lines that create depth within each portrait. Each intimate moment captured by the artist is presented in a soft, compassionate palette, projecting a sense of introspective nostalgia and creating a visual language that communicates authenticity, emotional vulnerability, and loving observation. "What caught our eye about Riley's work was the technical quality of his portraiture and his viewpoint depicting quiet moments. The embraces shown in his work feel universal and his language, often incorporating oil pastel in the works, captures a wonderful tension between the painterly brushstrokes of oil paint and drawn lines of the oil pastel. He is depicting people and scenes from his life that have inspired and influenced him. We were drawn to the loving quality of his paintings, themes of embrace and love, which everyone needs right now." —Ryan Massey & Garrett Klein Riley Holloway studied Graphic Design at The Art Institute of Dallas, during which time he completed a Portrait Workshop at The Florence Academy of Art in Italy. Following his studies, Holloway was awarded a 3-month artist residency at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, which culminated in his first solo exhibition in the hotel’s gallery. The artist is a Hunting Prize finalist. Holloway has exhibited internationally, with recent notable solo exhibitions including those at backs/ash in Paris, Erin Cluley Gallery in Dallas, Bloom Galerie in Geneva, Bode Projects at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, The African American Museum of Dallas, and First Amendment Gallery in San Francisco. Love Galore at Massey Klein Gallery is the artist’s first solo exhibition in New York City. In 2023, Holloway’s Records on Repeat was one of twelve works selected for acquisition by The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) through the Dallas Art Fair Foundation. The artist’s work is held in other prominent collections including The University of Oregon, Stanford University, The Dean Collection, and The Fairmont Dallas. The artist lives and works in Dallas, TX.