Counter Space

Counter Space, an art exhibit by Andrea Castillo, pays homage to the immigrant-run commerce stores that shaped her upbringing. Derived from both collective memories and photographs taken during her commutes through Los Angeles, the paintings reflect the social and cultural backdrops of commercial environments. Drawing inspiration from convenience stores, floral shops and tire businesses, she creates multifaceted characters interwoven with everyday products commonly present and purchased in these spaces. The works highlight how these spaces for marginalized communities build and operate their own regional trade networks. Beyond their economic function, they emerge as cultural anchors--sites of belonging and social intimacy--where a neighborhood identity is not only preserved but continually reimagined through daily rituals, aesthetics, and interactions/exchanges within the community.

The show opens at SWIM Gallery on May 31, 2025 from 6-8 pm.