Artist Miya Bailey Opens Old Rabbit Gallery in Atlanta

It was impossible to break Miya Bailey’s concentration as he carefully tattooed a client’s left leg at the City of Ink private and social tattoo club.

City of Ink is located above his first contemporary art gallery, Peter Street Station. Bailey was calm, cool, and collected one night, nothing in the world could take his eyes off his work, not even discussing his new gallery. On September 1, 2023, Bailey opened his second contemporary art gallery, Old Rabbit Gallery. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Bailey moved to Atlanta in 1994 to escape the streets and pursue a career in art. For Bailey, art is a social enterprise, balancing solitude and collaboration. Bailey’s decision to open Old Rabbit Gallery was influenced by the vibrant art scene he found on Peter Street.

“When I moved to Peter Street, there were a lot of art galleries here,” Bailey recalls.

The space that now houses the Old Rabbit Gallery was previously an art gallery, and Bailey felt it was time to revive the gallery scene in the neighborhood. He says his goal was to reinvigorate the local art community and provide a platform for contemporary artists.

“All my friends are artists, everyone I know. I like to be social. I like to work in private, but also, when I did Peter Street Station, it was mainly because I didn’t want to work alone all the time,” Bailey said.

Bailey wanted to create a space where artists can interact, learn and grow together.

“Sometimes I want to hang out with my friends and paint here,” he says. “Sometimes I want to paint alone. Sometimes I want to… you know, I have the option to keep it open-ended or I can get inspiration from another artist there. But we bounce ideas off each other,” Bailey continues.

“Being able to curate art in all of these beautiful galleries that Miya Bailey has created has been so rewarding. He trusts and believes in my vision, as does the community that I love,” said Plushette Ellis, the gallery’s curator.

Currently on view at the Old Rabbit is the exhibition “Troublesome,” featuring the work of Mr. Soul, a Cleveland-born graphic designer. Mr. Soul moved to Atlanta on November 23, 1996, a date that coincided with his nephew’s birthday. His decision to move was influenced by both personal and professional motivations, and he believed that Atlanta’s vibrant culture was ideal for his artistic development. The music and movement of the Dungeon Family and Organized Noize, which provided a powerful musical backdrop, inspired his vision for his art.

Looking back on his exhibition “Troublesome,” which was inspired by a Tupac song, Soul told The Atlanta Voice that the song’s energy resonated with his experiences of trials and tribulations, particularly during his 20 years in Atlanta. The 20-piece exhibition also touches on defining moments, such as conversations he had with his father before his death in 2016 and his subsequent return to Cleveland.

Mr. Soul hopes that new viewers of his art will feel the energy behind his work and find personal meaning in it. “I want people to be inspired by my work. I want the community of artists and people in Atlanta that I made this work for to be happy with the presentation, and this part of my work in this show was also for that community,” Soul said.

The images in Mr. Soul’s work often evoke powerful social and political themes. The series “Dusted and Disgusted,” inspired by a song by the band E-40, addresses issues such as street politics, betrayal, and the systemic forces that create poverty and violence. The series features young black women who seem ready to challenge the status quo, representing a generation aware of the societal issues they face. Another notable piece in his collection is the Marvin Gaye piece, inspired by his mother’s love for the artist.

“My My” is Bailey’s upcoming (and 8th) solo art exhibition and is set to debut on September 6, 2024.

July 5th will see the opening of Old Rabbit Gallery’s latest exhibition, “adult swim,” a solo show by Kaylah Hagler.

Old Rabbit Gallery is located at 309A Peters Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30313.

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