Two Artists Consider How Chicago Shapes Its Youth in ‘World in My Eyes’

Joy Machine is thrilled to present World in My Eyes, a duo exhibition of Chicago artists Kayla Mahaffey and Joseph Perez, a.k.a. Sentrock.

World in My Eyes is, first and foremost, rooted in the lives of everyday people. Both Sentrock and Mahaffey have long depicted friends and neighbors in their own Chicago neighborhoods, exploring how our city shapes its youngest residents. How are children cared for? How are their imaginations and dreams nurtured? These questions recur throughout both artists’ practices and always hinge on another: how do children thrive amid turmoil, whether political, cultural, or personal?

a painting by sentrock of a child holding a birdhouse on its chest and wearing a red bird mask — Sentrock, “Better days ahead” (2026), spray paint and latex paint on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

In World in My Eyes, Sentrock’s signature bird character meets Mahaffey’s energetic cast. Each artist confronts an underlying struggle—whether an unrealized dream or a physical need—not through an unrealistic swaddle of optimism but rather through the often-repeated idea that hope is a practice. For children, and for all of us seeking a better tomorrow, hope starts with courage.

An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on January 30. RSVP. See more from Mahaffey and Sentrock previously on Colossal.

a painting by kayla mahaffey of a young boy listening to a cassette player with fruit, flowers, and a cat nearby — Kayla Mahaffey, “A Pleasant Distraction”(2026), acrylic on linen, 12 x 12 inches

a painting by sentrock of a father and his kids, one wears a red bird mask with a rainbow above — Sentrock, “On the clock” (2026), spray paint and latex paint on canvas, 40 x 60 inches

a painting by kayla mahaffey of a young girl with flowers and a cake — Kayla Mahaffey, “Dire Consequences” (2026), acrylic on linen, 12 x 14 inches

a drawing by sentrock of a child holding a birdhouse on its chest and wearing a red bird mask — Sentrock, “Better days ahead study 01” (2026), colored pencil on paper in oak frame, 5 x 7 inches, 10.5 x 12.5 inches framed

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