(May 26, 2026)
Gil Mares is a fine-arts photographer who now displays at the recently launched Stellar Art Gallery at 24409 Hawthorne Blvd in Torrance, between PCH and Newton St. He views the overlooked industrial machinery of the Port of Los Angeles and transforms views of it into painting-like abstractions, such as cargo freighters passing through the harbor (“great whales with battle scars”), by composing the colors, textures and forms. His photographs have been in private and corporate collections in the US and London.
The Stellar Art Gallery was founded by Paul Lasman, a former aerospace engineer who developed expertise in the art of glass blowing. His son Jeremy Lasman manages the galleries operations and generation. (See https://www.stellarartgallery.com/ for details.)
The Gallery focuses on industrial-inspired art from everyday situations overlooked by most people. The art works reflect precision, intention, and playfulness with a lively resonance. In addition to blown glass (Paul Lasman) and photography (Gil Mares), ceramic artist Roy Kunisaki blends clean modern ceramic forms with tactile surfaces inviting a closer look. Their collection also includes rotating works by other local artists, showing the beauty of structure meeting creativity. They invite artists to launch their own art collection there.