In Jewel-Like Paintings, Wiley Wallace Conjures Enchantment in the Desert

Phoenix artist Wiley Wallace conjures supernatural wonder in miniature acrylic paintings featured in his current exhibition, Night Bloom, at Philadelphia's Arch Enemy Arts. His jewel-like works—the smallest just six by six inches—depict desert scenes where figures gather around glowing crystals, nebulous swirls of light, and ethereal forms that suggest portals to other realms. Per Colossal, Wallace evokes contemplation through these enigmatic compositions, drawing on the desert's rich tradition of mysticism and the atmospheric magic of monsoons, moonlight, and vast Western landscapes. The exhibition continues through the end of August.

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