Gallery Opening: BLACK OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE CLUBS

Opening on February 6th, 2026 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, located at 4633 Hollywood Blvd within Soapplant Wacko, a duo exhibition Two Americans  are two curated collections: Thoughts and Prayers by Wayne Martin Belger and Black Diamonds by Alanna Airitam. Thoughts and Prayers is an ongoing photography and mixed media project and performance. Photographer Wayne Martin Belger takes a critical look at American gun culture through the literal lens of a “weapon” camera. Black Diamonds is an ongoing project by photographer Alanna Airitam documenting the living members of various Black outlaw motorcycle clubs. This exhibition will primarily exhibit the first chapter of this series, showcasing portraits of members of the Chosen Few. Two Americans is a direct reference to the longstanding history of tightly curated exhibits in museums like MoMA, with the famous exhibit, Fifteen Americans, which take a holistic view of modern art in the Mid-Century. Other similar exhibits would follow with the lead curator, in which all the artists were white. Thirty Americans would later debut from the Rubell Museum and travel as both a direct response to this history and a celebration of Black excellence in the arts. Both artists, in their study and activism, add deep perspectives into this narrative by reframing the title into something wholly political. In an era where this administration is actively stripping artists' ability to exhibit in our nationally funded museums for similar narratives, La Luz de Jesus Gallery is PROUD to exhibit these two prolific and talented photographers.

Outlaw motorcycle clubs, also known as one percenter clubs, are outsiders as their bylaws and structures operate separate from the American Motorcyclist Association. They are not considered “Outlaws” for their criminal activity. Many of these clubs formed in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War as black and other POC veterans who shared a passion for choppers were ostracized if not straight prohibited from joining other mainstream clubs. In clubs today, many members experience racism and other micro-aggressions. These groups are pivotal to American history, as many of them have deep ties to the Black Panther Party and the Civil Rights Movement. Airitam, inspired by their resilience, captures the cornerstones of these sanctuaries as well as the narratives that frame the context of these communities.

Tucson based artist and photographer Alanna Airitam explores narratives of reclamation within Black communities through both historical and modern lenses. These are a series of formal portraits using a Fujifilm GFX 100S on Rolleiflex 2.8 film capturing the pride of each member in their official attire, adornments of notoriety and all the feelings of freedom in their lifestyle. The photographs utilize backgrounds reminiscent of the Hudson River School, a movement that visually represents a growing sense of American exceptionalism tied to Western expansionism through vast “untouched” nature. The freedom to own and enjoy this land that followed these movements were only available to White men. Peeking in the edges in many of the portraits are the larger environments, reframing the context of the backdrops into a world in which their passion for motorcycles, connection and solidarity builds the freedom they experience outside of an institution of historic racism. These are powerful portraits, as each person’s existence as an outlaw motorcyclist is built on decades of solidarity and resistance. 

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher WACKO