Event Coverage: Art Los Angeles Contemporary by Dale Youngman

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The 9th annual Art Los Angeles Contemporary was held two weeks ago at Barker Hanger, and having attended all but one of them, I think this was the best show to date. With nearly 70 exhibitors from around the world and an exceptionally strong LA showing, it is certainly safe to say that the high-end contemporary art market is booming in Los Angeles. Attendance was high, sales were brisk (according to many gallery directors,) and there was an air of excitement that was lacking at the other art fairs this month. Reports of sold-out booths were rumored!

A diverse range of work was exhibited, with some of the same trends as previously reported from the LA Art Show earlier this month (namely, Bling) but the leading genre grabbing attention in every corner seemed to be boldly colored abstract work, especially when created using some kind of alternative technique or material.

Here are a few of my favorites from the fair:

 

These two pieces by Gu Benchi were created with polyester line string. (Both were SOLD)

People were crowded around these amazing dimensional acrylic and resin works by German-born but Brooklyn-based artist Markus Linnenbrin at the Miles McEnery Gallery of NYC. He is renowned for his large public works that are often brilliantly-colored variegated stripes.

Mixed-media fabric collage work by Tomory Dodge, also at Miles McEnery Gallery in NYC.

These pour paintings by Holton Rower were displayed inside their custom crates, which made for a very unusual but effective kind of framing for each piece. This stunning selection of work was created on plywood, looking much like slices from a psychedelic tree!

Bold color and scale by John Young, at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery of Hong Kong

The President made an appearance via animated video works by Federico Solmi, creating a stir at Luis de Jesus Gallery of Los Angeles.

Irridescent and metallic texture were selling by Florian and Michael Quistrebert at 313 Art Project.

A little glitz and glam – “rhinestuds on canvas” by Matthew Brandt at Praz Delavallade Gallery

 

Just for your amusement – a collage of characters at the Pit Gallery in Glendale.

And the icing on the cake – these delectable textured pieces that reminded me of my grandmother’s wallpaper. A hint of nostalgia, but nonetheless very contemporary, by Tess Michalik.

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