JJ Manford: Jacaranda June

Nazarian / Curcio is pleased to present Jacaranda June, JJ Manford’s debut solo exhibition with the gallery.

In Jacaranda June, Manford continues his exploration of imagined domestic interiors and landscapes, weaving together art historical references, personal memory, and popular culture—all set against the backdrop of iconic Los Angeles architecture. Drawing inspiration from John Lautner’s Garcia House on Mulholland Drive and Stevens House in Malibu, Frank Gehry’s Wosk Residence, and homes by Rudolph Schindler, Charles and Ray Eames, and Ray Kappe, Manford taps into the legacy of mid-century modernism that shaped much of Southern California’s architectural identity. These homes—emblematic of an era that championed innovation and seamless integration between interior and exterior—represent more than structures; they embody a cultural moment that continues to shape architectural discourse today.

Working with oil stick, oil pastel, and Flashe on burlap, Manford creates richly textured surfaces that radiate with color and atmosphere. Each composition is a carefully orchestrated environment, where architectural forms, artworks, and ornamental details converge in quiet, uncanny harmony. His spaces, though meticulously constructed, remain fluid and dreamlike—part remembered, part imagined.