City Gallery at the Harrison Center showcases art with the specific theme of place-based work that celebrates the city and culture of Indianapolis. Alternate Route is Phillip Lynam's newest body of paintings and drawings inspired by moments of beauty found in his everyday life.

With the mission of City Gallery in mind, Lynam has been exploring a new way of making. Alternate Route diverges from Lynam's usual boldly colored, abstract, textured work and plays with imagery from his daily surroundings. "Having a City Gallery show challenged me to reframe the work I do."

Fascinated by light and geometry, Lynam keeps his eyes peeled as he drives through his commute from the west side of Indianapolis to his job at the art museum. Often, he is inspired by architecture and snaps photos at red lights to capture his surroundings and reference his work.

Alternate Route is an act of responding for Lynam. He considers his daily life and art-making practice and asks himself, "What's sustaining about making work?" Alternate Route has allowed him to think about different ways to keep painting relevant to his current phase of life.

This body of work showcases Indianapolis staples such as Longs Donuts, the Circle Monument, the Harrison Center's historic gym, and the Indy 500 pagoda.