by Shelley Holcomb Ry Rocklen “Shelf Life” installation view, Courtesy of Wilding Cran Gallery It’s a rarity to witness an artist presenting two concurrent solo exhibitions and an even rarer occurrence when they are at the same time in the same city just down the street from each other, but this is why we can say Ry Rocklen breaks the mold in more ways than one. The synchronicity of these exhibitions, “Shelf Life” at Wilding Cran Gallery and “Sand Box Living” at Night Gallery, are rooted in Rocklen’s personal journey — a narrative of parenthood, relocation, and artistic rebirth — the ..read more

For those seeking a break between fairs but don’t want to miss out on what’s going on, Curate LA has got you covered. Karla Ekatherine Canseco “Neobiota,” 2024 in ‘Grietas de Acero (Steel Fissures)’ at Murmurs LA (Image courtesy of Murmurs) We’ve divided the city into different neighborhoods, from the lively streets of Downtown’s Arts District to the peaceful coastline of Malibu. Our handpicked lists feature the galleries and local hotspots that have caught our eye, giving you an inside look at Los Angeles’s current cultural happenings during Art Week 2024. DOWNTOWN Night Galler ..read more

by Shelley Holcomb Installation view of Tatyana Fazlalizadeh: Speaking to Falling Seeds. Courtesy of California African American Museum (CAAM). Beyond the glittering facades and white walls of the more “conventional” galleries, a profound and authentic narrative is being woven by Black-owned galleries and institutions in Los Angeles. Fostering a vibrant and diverse environment that reflects the rich history and culture of our beloved city, they have all steadfastly carved out their place, forging a path of inclusivity and empowerment. As we enter the month of February, it is imperati ..read more

Interview by Shelley Holcomb Installation view of Jon Young ‘One Eye Closed’ at Rusha & Co. In his newest exhibition, One Eye Closed at Rusha & Co, artist Jon Young weaves through celestial cartographies, symbolism, and an intricate examination of choice and free will we all face as humans. Drawing parallels between his corrugations and historical figures like David Crockett, Young prompts viewers to reflect on the visibility of choices that have been made within the American mythos, contributing to a nuanced discourse on individual agency in the world we live in. The themati ..read more

By Jennifer Remenchik “Pictures Girls Make”: Portraitures Installation view, 2023 Blum & Poe, Los Angeles © The artists; Courtesy of the artists and Blum & Poe, Los Angeles/NewYork/Tokyo Photo: Hannah Mjølsnes. Artwork: Patrick Eugène, Whispering Waters, 2023 Curated by Alison M. Gingeras at Blum & Poe in Culver City, Pictures Girls Make: Portraitures, takes its titular reference from the famed quote by Elaine de Kooning describing her husband Willem’s derisive attitude towards portraits as “pictures girls make.” “Pictures Girls Make”: Portraitures Installation view, 2023 ..read more

Interview by Shelley Holcomb (translated in Persian below) Portrait of Soudeh Davoud, courtesy of the artist. In the vibrant tapestry of Iranian culture, Soudeh Davoud’s art emerges as a captivating blend of symbolism, history, and a profound commentary on the position of women — both of those who are currently living in the country and of what could easily be a future for all of us. Her canvases, steeped in the rich narratives of Iran’s literature and history, beckon viewers into a realm where ambiguity reigns. Davoud’s work transcends mere aesthetics; it becomes a poignant reflecti ..read more

by Jennifer Remenchik Carrie Mae Weems “Afro-Chic”, 2009–10. Installation view, ‘American Gurl’ presented by Womxn in Windows, Hauser & WirthDowntown Los Angeles, 24 June–20 August2023Courtesy the artist and Jack Shainman GalleryPhoto: Keith Lubow. The concept of the American girl is a cultural heavyweight of the modern era. Like any good American, she has everything — a classic song by Tom Petty dedicated to her mystique and sense of adventure, an infamous collection of dolls highlighting her many forms, and the baggage of being the ideal, a status that means both extreme idealizatio ..read more

Interview by Shelley Holcomb Amia Yokoyama “Abyss”, 2022–23. Porcelain, glaze, glass mirror. Amia Yokoyama’s sculptural style, as she describes it, is a product of the diverse facets of her being — a rich tapestry of ideas, lived experiences, deeply personal emotions, and murky childhood memories. Amia’s sculptures embody fluidity and the multiplicity of self, exploring the complexities of identity and embodiment in a realm between human and abstract, erotic and grotesque. Her work evokes a sense of both darkness and euphoria, where she weaves narratives that intertwine permanence wi ..read more

Artist Danie Cansino on Giving Her Family and Friends a Seat at the Table in Art History in ‘This is My Blood’ Interview by Shelley Holcomb Installation view of Danie Cansino ‘This is My Blood’ at Charlie James Gallery. Shelley Holcomb: Can you tell us about your artistic background and how you developed your specific painting style? Danie Cansino: I’ve always had the innate ability to draw, as far back as I can remember. Though I hadn’t been formally trained, I’ve always been able to capture likeness and was drawn to portraits and figurative work… Pun intended. When I did ..read more

Interview by Jennifer Remenchik Brie Ruais, Daughter, You Seem Foreign to Me, installation view, 2023 Artist Brie Ruais’ ceramic sculptures, videos, performances and installations begin in her body — in the intuitive way she feels her way through the work using clay as an index for performance. Her work has a connection to historical movements such as land art and feminist art practices, as well as a relationship to the performance-based work of artists such as Janine Antoni, Lynda Benglis, Ana Mendieta and Bruce Nauman. Ruais now spends her time making artwork and connecting with th ..read more