Friends of Hannah Traore Gallery gathered to celebrate the opening of It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense, the first New York solo exhibition of works by artist Chella Man.

It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense, on view from February 8-March 30, showcases a profound selection of sketchbooks and recent paintings by the artist, trans activist author. The show explores Chella’s artistic evolution, stemming from his earliest encounters with the transformative power of pen and paper. Faced with the challenges of living as a disabled, queer person of color, Chella found solace and expression through the fluid language of drawing - a medium that gave voice to his exploration of confusion, abstraction, intuition, identity, and self-love.

Following the opening, guests moved to the 28th floor of WSA on Water Street for a dance party, sipping on custom cocktails while overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge.

Notable guests included Achieng Agutu, Adam Eli, Andrea Delph, Caleb Hahne Quintana, Charlie Jarvis, Chella Man, Cierra Britton, Courtney Sweeney, Gisela McDaniel, Hannah Traore, Iman Dirk, Indya Moore, JeneeStrand, Jon Gray, Kevin Claiborne, Maria Vogel, Perf Everhart, Quil Lemons, Ruben Burgess, Skyler Mitchell and Storm Ascher.

Image Credit: Rob Berry/BFA