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CURRENT
Talåyan Langhet
Sid M. Duenas and Isa Gagarin
Pilele Projects
May 16 - June 27, 2026
Gallery hours Fri/Sat 11-4pm
In this collaborative two-person exhibition, Sid M. Duenas and Isa Gagarin present Talåyan Langhet. Translated literally to sky net in English, Talåyan Langhet evokes an image of a CHamoru talayeru throwing a circular fishing net in shallow ocean waters. Duenas and Gagarin’s work employs the idea of a fishing net as a conceptual framework for their collaboration (which draws connections between their distinct visual and material approaches); it also functions as a metaphor for the fragmented nature of their respective CHamoru-language fluency. In his multi-media work, Duenas builds poetic textual elements including bilingual phrasing and compound words. Gagarin’s recent work plays with the ochosyllabic structure of kantan Chamorrita, composing original songs that accompany her paintings as a way to pursue CHamoru-language thought frameworks in her creative process.
Accompanying Duenas and Gagarin’s exhibition is an open-edition poster produced by Pilele Projects.
Email hafa@pileleprojects.org
RECENT
Gallery view East
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Multistory 2, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
9.5 in. h x 5 in. d
Ceramic, hand-painted
9.5 in. h x 5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Master Abais, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
10 in. h x 5.5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
10 in. h x 5.5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Black and White Bai beam vase, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
9.75 in. h x 5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
9.75 in. h x 5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Multistory 2, 2024
Ceramic, hand-painted
9.5 in. h x 5 in. d
Ceramic, hand-painted
9.5 in. h x 5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
3 Storyboard vase, 2023
Ceramic, hand-painted
8.5 in. h x 5.5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
8.5 in. h x 5.5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
L to R:
G randma waters her garden, 2021
Ceramic, hand-painted
Ngerubesang, 2021
Ceramic, hand-painted
Aimeliik Crocodile, 2022
Ceramic, hand-painted
Ngerubesang, 2023
Ceramic, hand-painted
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
G randma waters her garden, 2021
Ceramic, hand-painted
Ngerubesang, 2021
Ceramic, hand-painted
Aimeliik Crocodile, 2022
Ceramic, hand-painted
Ngerubesang, 2023
Ceramic, hand-painted
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Gallery view East
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Gallery view West
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
7 in x 3.25 in
Cormorant and Heron, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
4.5 in x 6.5 in
Aimeliik Snake Bowl, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
7.25 in x 3 in
Mishima Tile, 2024
Ceramic, hand-painted
5.25 in x 5.25 in
Bird with Light, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
7.25 in x 3 in
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Bird with Light, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
7.25 in x 3 in
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
7.25 in x 3 in
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Dugong maiden of Sea bowl, 2025
Ceramic, hand-painted
7 in x 3.25 in
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
7 in x 3.25 in
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Sea creatures endemic to Palau bowl, 2023
Ceramic, hand-painted
8.5 in. h x 5.5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Ceramic, hand-painted
8.5 in. h x 5.5 in. d
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Gallery view West
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography
OPENING SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 12-4pm
Sequoia Tangerine Kimmel
Melilt l ak ngiltii a kotek
November 15, 2025 - January 31, 2026
Gallery hours Fri/Sat 11-4pm
Pilele Projects is excited to present Sequoia Tangerine Kimmel's exhibition, Melilt | ak ngiltii a kotek (where I come from). Kimmel is a Palauan-Mexican American artist from Santa Cruz, California. Their work embraces their Palauan heritage and culture by carrying on the tradition of Palauan Storyboards. Typically carved into wood, Palauan storyboards illustrate many legends of the Palauan people. Kimmel’s work translates this tradition into the medium of ceramics, preserving those legends in the form of everyday objects. The exhibition will feature a selection of their ceramics as well as an installation of her personal collection of Palauan storyboards.
Email hafa@pileleprojects.org
PROJECTS
October 14, 2023
New Nuebu Call Back
February 24 - April 30, 2024
Queer Theirstories of Polynesia
May 12 - July 28, 2024
September 28 - Dec 7, 2024
March 29 - May 10, 2025
Tā Vā: a prism of time through space May 17 - June 14, 2025
I Hagan Sirena (Daughter of Sirena)
June 28 - August 9, 2025
Melilt l ak ngiltii a kotek
November 15, 2025 - January 31, 2026
VISIT
Pilele Projects3307A West Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Gallery hours exhibition dependent.
See Current
Appointments can be made by email or direct message on our Instagram page.
hafa@pileleprojects.org
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Gallery hours exhibition dependent.
See Current
Appointments can be made by email or direct message on our Instagram page.
hafa@pileleprojects.org
ABOUT
Founded by Mariquita “Micki” Davis and Edward Sterrett, Pilele Projects is an exhibition and workshop space dedicated to supporting projects by Pasifika artists in Southern California. We are working towards developing grant funded residencies for artists, cultural practitioners, curators, and scholars emerging from and focused on Pacific Island cultures and their diasporas.
Pilele Projects takes its name from the creative director’s Chamoru Grandfather who ran a Mom and Pop store and Laundro-mat in post-war Guam. The store was beloved in the village for being more than a convenience. It was a community center, a place for ceremonies, and a support for local artisans.
Pilele Projects takes its name from the creative director’s Chamoru Grandfather who ran a Mom and Pop store and Laundro-mat in post-war Guam. The store was beloved in the village for being more than a convenience. It was a community center, a place for ceremonies, and a support for local artisans.