Paradise Exhibition at Stove Works Explores Queer Futurity

The group exhibition 'Paradise' at Stove Works in Chattanooga, Tennessee, curated by Graham Feyl and J. Sova, presents works by thirteen artists centering on queer futurity. The show opens with a quote from Olivia Laing's 'Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency' and features Lisa Waud's installation 'tread/tender' (2026) with bright artificial flowers on the industrial concrete floor. Nicholas Elbakidze's 'Meissenettes' (2026) are red bird-shaped sculptures with body-safe rubber tails, bringing campy erotic humor. Brian Smith's beaded nets 'Lure of the Pansy' (2024) and 'Currently untitled red net' (2026) evoke queer nightlife aesthetics. Aaron McIntosh's 'Invasive Queer Kudzu' (2015-ongoing) uses kudzu as a metaphor for queer community strength in the South. E. Saffronia Szanton Downing's earthenware sculptures 'Seed Weaver' (2026) and 'String/Trail' (2026) use clay from five US and Canada locations. Paintings include Angie Jennings' 'Silphium rendered in a crystal heart' (2023) and 'Bloodroot' (2023), Michael Childress' 'Cyclorama' series (2024), and Hannah Banciella's 'Where was I last seen this time?' (2026). The exhibition draws on José Esteban Muñoz's concept of queer futurity and Audre Lorde's definition of the erotic as power. 'Paradise' runs until June 6, 2026.