Postpartum examined through artwork at Compound in Long Beach, CA

Compound in Long Beach, CA is recognized as a distinct art sanctuary that fosters culture, connectivity and personal growth through art, community, and wellness. Compound’s next solo exhibition featuring celebrated artist Fay Ray titled “Puerperal” opens February 15, running through August 31, 2025.

Originating from Latin, puerperal is defined as “woman who has given birth.” Ray invites the community, as well as scholars and artists, to consider the possibilities of a postpartum aesthetic as well as reflect on the intimacy of motherhood. Featuring extraordinary artist-led exhibitions, intentional healing arts, and an experiential restaurant to nourish the mind, body and soul, Compound offers a respite for belonging, curiosity and thoughtful reflection.

Compound will host an opening reception brunch open to the public in celebration of the debut on February 15, from 11 am to 2 pm. A public walk through of the exhibition will be held on February 23, from 11 am to 1 pm with featured artist Fay Ray and Compound Executive Director, January Parkos Arnall. Both will meet and greet guests as well as for open conversation about this intriguing and illuminative exhibition.

“Puerperal” will take over the 14,000-square-foot complex of Compound including the Warehouse, LAB and Sculpture Garden, as well as through curation and collaboration in the Compound retail space and culinary program at Union. The show will feature 15-20 works including two and three-dimensional monochromatic sculptures such as, Cereus 2025 stone mounted cactus casts made with aluminum, onyx and granite and Fragmented Thinking 2024. Newly commissioned works as well as an entirely new body of work for Ray that will incorporate clay, ceramics and porcelain titled, For Knowing and Being 2025.

“The intent of this exhibition is to open a dialogue about the period of childbirth that is recognized as the ‘fourth trimester or postpartum,’” Ray said. “Once you have a child, I believe you are postpartum from that point forward until death. This transition of the subject we rarely if ever see interpreted through art. I want to bring that to the forefront, to its genesis.”

A thoughtful exploration of the aesthetics of childbirth, motherhood, postpartum rebirth, caregiving and life giving will be incorporated and represented through a high contrast photographic collage mural, figurative clay sculptures, and large-scale metal hanging forms that feature materials and processes from the natural world.

Compound is a community of local and internationally experimental artists, respected wellness practitioners, thinkers, creators and expert holistic guides and professionals. Each bring original perspectives and are in a significant position to build on the interplay of culture and consciousness that is at the center of the Compound experience.

“Our community of artists are at the heart of everything we do here at Compound,” Executive Director, January Parkos Arnall, said. “As we embrace a new year and near our one-year anniversary, we remain focused on our mission and purpose — culture shifts consciousness, while staying true to the belief that fostering individual renewal and resilience nurtures community connection.”

A “third place” where community, healing and art converge is set amid transformative art aesthetics that reveal an ever-changing series of one-of-a-kind immersive experiences to stimulate the mind and body for every guest of Compound. Explore healing arts in a safe and inclusive sanctuary ranging from drum circles utilizing drums as medicine to somatic guided meditations, sound bath and breathwork to dynamic art performances. Free and artist-led Art for All workshops, invigorating artist talks, community markets, multi-cultural Supper Club Dinner collaborations, demonstrations and educational classes inspire personal growth, belonging, curiosity and transition. Explore Compound’s vast yet intentional experiences which are ever changing including but not limited to the following.

Located at 1395 Coronado Avenue at the corner of East 14th Street and Coronado Avenue within the thriving Zaferia District, Compound is centered on the belief that culture shifts consciousness.

Compound is open Thursday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information about Compound programs and events please visit Compound’s website.