Modern West

Modern + Contemporary art of the American West

06/17/2026

Modern West is pleased to collaborate with the UVU Museum of Art in loaning select works by Shonto Begay for the exhibition “The Stories We Hold: Journeys Through Myth and Memory.” The group show is on view in the upstairs galleries of the UVU MOA through September 5, 2026.

“The Stories We Hold” features artwork which draws from childhood memories, ancestral traditions, cultural mythology, and family histories to explore how storytelling shapes the way we understand ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.

Visit the UVU MOA at 260 W 1800 S Orem, UT 84058 and contact us at [email protected] for more information on Begay’s work.

Congratulations on the beautiful exhibition, !
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Shonto Begay
Awaiting Monsoon, 2025
acrylic on canvas
20 x 16 in.

Stands with Light, 2022
acrylic on canvas
82 x 50 in.

Homeward, 2025
acrylic on canvas
10 x 10 in.

Feeding Medicine Man, 2025
acrylic on canvas
20 x 16 in.

06/13/2026

We are pleased to see a familiar face on view at Finch Lane Gallery! Don’t miss your chance to see works by our friend Laura Hope Mason for the exhibition “Deserts We Have Crossed,” showing now through July 17, 2026.

“Deserts We Have Crossed” explores the literal, figurative, spiritual, and metaphysical aspects of the desert. Featured artists Laura Hope Mason, Claire Tollstrup & Elizabeth Sanchez show paintings that examine the desert through distinct styles and visions. Each artist has found beauty in the harsh, barren land and its symbolism.

Mason’s suggestion of distant mirages symbolizes the desperate search for water and nourishment and the absence of other humans. Find a selection of her beautiful landscapes at Finch Lane Gallery, 54 Finch Lane, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.

Visit our website to find available works at Modern West – contact us at [email protected] for all acquisition information.

06/07/2026

Kiki Gaffney | “Tree Mandala,” 2019

Take a moment to hear directly from .gaffney about the symbolism behind “Tree Mandala”.

“I teach yoga outside of my art career, and that mandala (circle) shape it's very big in yoga in Hinduism. It's a form of reverence, and to take something in nature and put it within that shape gives it more significance for me.

A lot of the imagery that I use is all my own photography. I like finding imagery that maybe goes unnoticed because it's not considered beautiful in the generic definition of beautiful. So I like to take bare, fallen, and decaying trees, and elevate them.”

Want to learn more about Kiki’s process? Send us an email at [email protected], or visit her artist page through the link in our bio.

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Kiki Gaffney (.gaffney)
Tree Mandala, 2019
oil, graphite, gold leaf on wood panel
39 x 36 in.

06/06/2026

Mark your calendars! Modern West is pleased to announce our upcoming exhibition “The Year of the Horse!” Please join us for the opening reception during Salt Lake Gallery Stroll on Friday, June 19 🐎🔥

“The Year of the Horse” features artworks that literally and figuratively symbolize the 2026 Chinese New Year. Showcasing direct representations and interpretations of this symbol, the exhibition creates a dynamic portrait of the horse through sculpture, painting, photography, and mixed media artworks in the context of the contemporary American West.

Stay tuned for new works from artists , , , , , .lenka, , , , , and !

06/04/2026

Take a look behind the scenes of what is happening at the gallery this week!

We had the pleasure to assist MWFA artist install her colorful piece titled “Young,” 2024. Inspired by her grandmother's hand-woven quilts, “Young” is an intricate ceramic work that explores fragility, craft, and the interaction with its space.

This piece is remarkable in our space. Visit the gallery today to view it in-person, or send us an email at [email protected] to schedule a private viewing of the work.

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Dara Hartman ()
Young, 2024
porcelain, walnut, metal hooks
72 x 44 x 2.25 in.

05/31/2026

Take a look inside MWFA artist 's studio.🎨⁠
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Xi creates atmospheric compositions that are layered with bright color and bold imagery. Born in Kaifeng, China, Zhang explores the psychological weight of cultural duality and personal tribulations through the combination of Eastern and Western painting traditions. ⁠
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Recognized internationally, Zhang has been named as a representative of the United States in the Biennial of the Americas— an international festival of ideas, art, and culture hosted in Denver. ⁠
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We are pleased to feature Xi Zhang’s work in our Spring Salon exhibition and invite you to visit the gallery today to immerse yourself in Xi’s story. ⁠
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To view more works from Xi Zhang, visit his Artist page through the link in our bio. ⁠
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The Jump Rope, 2024
acrylic on canvas
58 x 58 in.

The Blade Runner, 2022
acrylic on canvas
48 x 36 in.

05/28/2026

Suzanne Hill | Available works

We love the soft pigments in ’s pottery. Instead of using a traditional glaze, Suzanne practices ‘Saggar Firing’; a firing technique where the pottery is fired with sawdust, copper, cobalt, nickel, and other natural combustible materials to create organic and home-grown gradients. Other than the physical form itself, each piece tells a unique story through its color. What remains is an abstract representation of the Western landscape that her materials originated from.

Want to take a closer look at these atmospheric pieces? Visit the gallery today to view her work in person.
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Snow Cave, 2024
ceramic
19.75 x 8.25 in.

Pele’s Realm, 2022
ceramic
16 x 7.5 in.

Green Cliffs, 2024
ceramic
10 x 12 in.

Modern West Fine Art
📍242 E South Temple St
Monday-Friday:
10:00AM-6:00PM

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! Modern West will be closed today (Monday, May 25) for the holiday. Celebrate with us by enjoying some of Xi Zhang’s colorful paintings 🖼️

The gallery will resume normal business hours of 10 AM-6 PM the remainder of this week. We’ll see you back at Modern West tomorrow!
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Xi Zhang ()
The Jump Rope, 2024
acrylic on canvas
58 x 58 in.

Sixpence, 2022
acrylic on canvas
60 x 72 in.

Stream, 2023
acrylic on canvas
60 x 72 in.

05/24/2026

Did you know that the online exclusive exhibitions for .gaffney and are currently live on our website?

Visit these online shows through the link in our bio to take a deeper dive into the process, perspectives, and stories behind Jim Jacob’s organic sculptures and Kiki Gaffney’s enlightening compositions.

Acquire their works directly online, or send us an email at [email protected] to learn more.
______________gaffney

Layers Of Time, 2022
graphite, acrylic, gold leaf, collage on paper
60 × 45 in.

A La Deriva, 2026
maple wood
67 x 75 x 85 in.

Modern West Fine Art
📍242 E South Temple St
Monday-Friday:
10:00AM-6:00PM

Address

242 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT
84111

Telephone

+18013553383

Website

http://linktr.ee/modernwestfineart

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