LA has exploded artistically. LA has grown up and it is here to stay. The LA art scene features museum-quality spaces, artist events, and New York galleries establishing west coast locations.
Frieze and Felix Art Fair both showcased notable exhibitions. Commonwealth and Council appeared at Frieze, while Volume Gallery and Nina Johnson Gallery participated at Felix. The fairs were busy, digestible and friendly — yet felt less compelling than city-wide exhibitions.
Melrose + Mid-City
Nazarian / Curcio hosted a panel with Summer Wheat and Diedrick Brackens. Tappan Gallery showcased Luke Chiswell solo exhibition on Melrose. Harpers' group show included Kristopher Raos and Mimi Jung. Nino Mier Gallery featured Tyson's uncanny sketches. Carpenter's Workshop displayed Vincenzo's designs. Sean Kelly Gallery presented dual shows. Ochi Gallery hosted morning brunch with Devin Farrand. Lilian Martinez exhibited at Frieze. Francis Gallery (Bath, UK) opened a new LA location with a group exhibition that had a wabi-sabi feeling, reminiscent of the broader ethos of the west coast character.
Downtown + East
The Bendix Building: Family-owned creative space hosting open studios featuring artists Caitlin Carney and Mary Little.
Night Gallery: An impressive blue-chip gallery space in the Arts District. Featured Wanda Koop's expansive landscapes where the space felt literally built for them.
Canadian Artists
"Northern Exposure" at Praz-Delavallade showcased Canadian galleries and artists. Featured practitioners include Karice Mitchell and Jennifer Carvalho, demonstrating perfect dichotomy in figure. Anat Ebgi shared courtyard space with paintings by Karyn Lyons.
Felix & Frieze Standouts
Felix Art Fair: Dee Clement's work at Nina Johnson (nearly sold out). Ridley Howard's small-scale portraits at Marinaro. Motohiro Hayakawa's drawings at Jack Hanley Gallery ($150 each).
Frieze: Rob Pruitt's "White (suicide)" painting at 303 Gallery. Hernan Bras' work at Victoria Miro. Classic artists observed: Wolfgang Tillmans, Grace Weaver, Danielle Orchard.
Honorable Mention
Rhett Baruch Design hosted a salon in Los Feliz combining artists, advisors, designers, and real estate professionals in a beautiful gothic-style house party atmosphere.
People were kind, inviting and eager to discuss artwork, artists, galleries and projects. The sunshine was truly invigorating.
