AO On Site – Los Angeles: “Facemaker” Curated by Kathy Grayson at Royal/T Through May 31st, 2011

April 22nd, 2011


Ben Jones, Facemaker (2011), via The Hole

Currently showing at Royal/T is the show “Facemaker” curated by Kathy Grayson, of The Hole Gallery in New York City.  Located in Culver City, the Royal/T Gallery is a melange of café, shop, and compartmental art exhibition spaces. The 10,000-square-foot area holds a multitude of pieces from the show “Facemaker,” which explores the conceptualization of a face through the eyes of many different artists.  The show includes work from famous names as Shepard Fairey, Takashi Murakami, and Aurel Schmidt, as well as that of new and emerging artists.


Installation view of “Facemaker” featuring Shepard Fairey at Royal/T, photography by Rebecca Leib

more text and images after the jump…


Eric Yahnker, Glumbrella, courtesy of Ambach & Rice

“Facemaker” looks at how each artist- new and established alike-tackles the idea of a “face,” and what faces mean to society as a whole.  The show explores the varied interpretations of this most universal element of human perception.  Within “Facemaker,” a variety of media are used to show the face as mysterous,  ugly, beautiful,  organic, geometric and more. The establishment of this wide variety of interpretation makes this show somewhat manic, but still stimulating,  dovetailing with the spirit of the Royal/T gallery.

Kathy Grayson has had a history of bringing young artist together within the context of shows like “Facemaker.”  The former director of Deitch Projects in New York City,  Grayson opened The Hole with the intent of uniting newer artists in a formal gallery setting. In this way, her reach to Los Angeles unites her curatorial work on both coasts. Grayson’s work is admirable, and shows through within the Royal/T exhibition.


Installation view of “Facemaker” at Royal/T, photography by Rebecca Leib

-R. Leib

Related Links:

Exhibition Page [Royal/T]
Information  [Juxtapoz Magazine]
The Hole New York [Kathy Grayson]
Face Time [Acne]