LAC Featuring Art of Danial Ryan

Hadi Falapishi - The Myth - 2023 (LAC)

(Press Release) ​Tequesta, FL (December 30, 2025) – Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) invites the public to “Burger Angels: The Art of Danial Ryan,” featuring new works by Danial Ryan and cat-themed art from the private collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody. This fresh and provocative exhibition opens on January 15 and runs through February 21, 2026, at LAC’s gallery in Tequesta. The opening reception will take place on Thursday, January 15, 5–7 p.m., with the artist in attendance. Admission is free for members; a $10 suggested donation for non‑members.
 
Danial Ryan, a self‑taught painter based in St. Petersburg, Florida, has built a strong online following for his bold, humorous depictions of cats navigating the unpredictable and often chaotic realities of human life. His work blends sharp cultural references with painterly wit, turning meme‑like scenarios into emotionally resonant artworks. In one painting, a large cat scrolls the internet with a soda and a cigarette, another cat has a mystical encounter with a hot dog, still more cats picnic with bags of takeout in a beautiful mountain landscape - each one expanding the strange and unexpectedly tender universe of his paintings.

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Working acros an astonishing range of visual styles, Ryan explores internet culture, emotional vulnerability, social isolation, and the struggle to maintain identity and dignity, all through the expressive eyes of cats. His prolific artistic practice offers a singular perspective on the complexities of contemporary life and the ongoing challenge of preserving mental health.
 
In addition to Ryan’s paintings, the exhibition will feature a curated selection of cat‑themed works from the renowned collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody, celebrated for its breadth and for championing established, emerging, and unconventional artists. DeWoody frequently loans works from her collection to institutions around the world.
 
“This show is an exciting and rare opportunity to see a collection of Danial Ryan’s work in person,” said Lighthouse ArtCenter Curator, Anthony Record. “For this exhibition, Ryan has created works much larger than those he usually makes for his online audience, and it will be amazing to see those works in dialogue with pieces from one of the most influential and impactful private collections of contemporary art.”
 
This exhibition, sponsored by longtime LAC supporter Anne Palumbo, is part of the ArtCenter’s ongoing commitment to presenting bold, thought-provoking work that speaks to the cultural moment while supporting emerging voices in contemporary art.
 
“Burger Angels: The Art of Danial Ryan” will be on display at Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & 2D Studio, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit lighthousearts.org or call 561-746-3101.