From Under the Armillaria

Sep 18 2026 - Oct 10 2026

Isabella Briganti Solo Exhibition
Artist Isabella Briganti explores the complexities of relationships in humans and nature.

Bitfactory Gallery at 851 Santa Fe Drive presents From Under the Armillaria, figure paintings in oil by Isabella Briganti, on view September 18 – October 10, 2026. Briganti’s artworks are combination of classic figure painting with abstraction of the body, surrealist elements, and mimics of natural phenomenon. The show explores the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, societal networks, and the reflection of these in nature—observations of longing, pain, betrayal, comfort, grief, and confusion. The public is invited to the Opening Receptionon Third Friday September 18, 6-9 PM, and to stop by during the First Friday Art Walk on October 2, 6-9 PM and the visit during regular business hours from September 18 – October 10, 2026.

The name of the show refers to genus of the honey fungus Armillaria ostoyae. This fungus is the largest known living organism by area and mass, however, the definition of what constitutes an individual in the world of mycology can be blurry. Conceptually, this is mirrored in human relationships–how they can fall apart from miscommunication, not only on a singular scale but on communal and global scales as well. The fractal patterns in the mycelial imagery serve as a reminder of connection, visible and invisible, and of consequences, intended or otherwise. Habits from one are picked up by another, body language is interpreted and reflected, interests are shared, bonds are formed. Who is to say where one person ends and another begins? What kind of marks do we leave on one another that will last a lifetime? Briganti ruminates upon these concepts through a single group of models, painting some in clear settings and representations while others in more unfocused and nebulous compositions.

This series was initially funded by a grant she received at the completion of her MCA Denver’s Creators Studio Internship in 2024. Modeling was done by a volunteer group within a local dance company and references for mycological material were gathered by the artist through the Denver Botanical Gardens.

Isabella Briganti (she/they) is an artist born, raised, and residing in Denver. She graduated in Fall 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Practices at the University of Colorado Denver, with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting, a sub-emphasis in Illustration, and a minor in Biology. Briganti has shown her work in more than twenty exhibitions and has worked with galleries and artists such as Jaime Molina, Oliver Herring, and the Emmanuel Gallery.

Bitfactory Gallery is located at 851 Santa Fe Drive in the heart of Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe. The building also houses Bitfactory Studios with the vision of providing a helpful, friendly working atmosphere for artists and Block Gallery, a pop-up gallery space available to rent in one-, three-, or seven-day blocks. Gallery hours are Tues. – Sat., 11 PM – 4 PM and by appointment. For additional information, please contact Brayden Espinosa at gallery@bitfactory.net or 303-862-9367, visit www.bitfactory.net, or follow on Facebook/Instagram @bitfactorygallery and on X at @bitfactoryg