There can be no community without a third space.

Angeles’ work reminds the audience of the rights we have, as social beings, to accessible and comfortable third spaces. Through woodworking, furniture design, photography, and mixed media, Angeles lays out the possibilities for community building and connecting spaces. 

Their work uses a variety of textures that are meant to play with the audience’s sense of touch. Touch is a significant sense that is often only experienced by the artist, rarely the viewer. Allowing audiences to touch the works transforms them into participants. When the audience participates in the work, they are opening themselves to the opportunity for new connections in the artist space.

Angeles’ use of gallery spaces serves as a warning to the on-going extinction of third spaces. Without third spaces, people lose their right to the opportunity of being a part of, or creating a community where we feel comfortable and supported. Third spaces, such as libraries, coffee shops, restaurants, are actively becoming more exclusive or inaccessible. Free, easy to access, and well-advertised community spaces are a right that few people are aware of, and even fewer are fighting for. By using the gallery space as a temporary community space, Angeles’ goal is to bring the sense of comfort and connection to those who aren’t handed that right.