Liza Lacroix at Magenta Plains, via Art Observed
As Frieze opens up shop for the week on the West Coast, the bevy of satellite fairs and event openings are underway across the city, including the always hotly anticipated Felix LA Art Fair, the brainchild of collector Dean Valentine that spreads works across the halls and rooms of the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. The show allows a unique mixture of intimate exhibitions and adventurous concepts that felt well-suited to the well-heeled patrons of the contemporary art market, both looking for a good piece of work and a unique experience while buying it.
Cameron Clayborne at Moran Moran, via Art Observed
The fair’s layout and concept made for a bracing, unique event, as collectors and artists hobnobbed by the hotel’s lush outdoor areas, or packed into rooms upstairs in an attempt to view works or get a first crack at a desired piece. Sales were brisk, and attendees were particularly engaged as they passed through the various spaces where art was on view. At Moran Moran Gallery, one could view works by a range of artists, including an immense cargo pant pocket by Borna Sammak, as well as small-scale works by Cameron Clayborn, while at Kavi Gupta, a range of gallery artists were on view, including expressive canvases by painter Nikko Washington. Elsewhere, at Harper’s, one could view works by artist Jeremy Lawson, while at Fridman Gallery, a range of intriguing works by Nate Lewis were on view; dense, multilayered compositions filled with a dynamic and expressive energy.
Nate Lewis at Fridman Gallery, via Art Observed
Jeremy Lawson at Harper’s, via Art Observed
Considering the ever-growing stature of Los Angeles’s local arts community, and the growing number of locally-focused galleries and young artists in the city, Felix seems to have taken up a strong position amongst the local residents of the city, as well as those further afield who have maintained a close connection to the city’s arts community. The fair’s concept promises for an interesting next few years as these connections are further cultivated and strengthened.
The fair closes today, February 19th.
Nikko Washington at Kavi Gupta, via Art Observed
Borna Sammak, via Art Observed
– D. Creahan
Read more:
Felix Art Fair [Exhibition Site]
