Collectors and Martinis at Fandi Mata: Ja’Baree’s Solo Exhibition Celebrates the Power of Art, Connection, and Community

Curated By Katrina Chiovon

Throughout the summer of 2026, Brooklyn became the setting for an artistic journey centered on expression, connection, and community as multidisciplinary artist Ja’Baree presented his solo exhibition at Fandi Mata.

Running from July 8 through August 11, the exhibition transformed Fandi Mata at 74 Bayard Street into a space where art, hospitality, and community came together. More than a traditional exhibition, the experience featured live painting, networking gatherings, collector viewings, and opportunities for art enthusiasts to connect directly with the artist and his work.

Ja’Baree’s creative practice is grounded in a simple idea: being at peace.

Born in Atlanta and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Ja’Baree began his artistic journey through tattooing before expanding into painting. His creative evolution eventually brought him to New York, where he transformed a bus into a mobile art gallery and working studio—an extension of his belief that art should be accessible, personal, and experienced beyond traditional gallery walls.

That same philosophy shaped his time at Fandi Mata.

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Following the July 8 opening, Ja’Baree hosted special events on July 15, July 22, and July 29, combining live painting, networking, and collector viewings.

These gatherings allowed collectors, art enthusiasts, creatives, and community members to experience Ja’Baree’s process in real time. Guests were able to engage with the artwork while connecting with the artist and one another, creating an atmosphere that felt intimate and conversational rather than formal.

For collectors, the events offered a closer look at the stories and creative energy behind the pieces, while art enthusiasts had an opportunity to discover Ja’Baree’s work in a welcoming environment.

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Meaning “To Connect,” Fandi Mata provided a fitting setting for the exhibition. Founded in Brooklyn around ideas of culture, craftsmanship, global influence, and hospitality, the venue naturally complemented Ja’Baree’s approach to bringing people together through creativity.

The combination of art, food, design, and conversation created an environment where guests could experience the exhibition as part of a larger cultural gathering.

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The exhibition concluded with a closing celebration on August 5, bringing together collectors, art lovers, creatives, and supporters for one final gathering.

Over the course of the exhibition, Ja’Baree’s work became more than something to simply view. Through live painting, conversations, networking, and collector experiences, the exhibition created opportunities for people to participate in the artistic process and connect with the community surrounding it.

Ja’Baree’s time at Fandi Mata ultimately celebrated artistic evolution, creative expression, and the power of bringing people together.

Art connected the space. The space connected the people. And Ja’Baree’s work created the conversation.