There are two terrific exhibitions currently exuding the spirit of play and perfection that inhabits the artist-run The Makery Gallery in DTLA.
Closing the 24th, Playtime is a brilliant and fun group show inaugurating the gallery’s new basement-level space, Sub Terra. It’s an exuberant and delightful show about – fun. When was the last time you enjoyed seeing inventively creative toys, ruminations on the purpose of play, and expression of pure joy?
From Heather Lowe’s dazzling, spinning holographic merri-go-round to a few holes of crazy cool golf transported from Mojaveland Mini Golf in 29 Palms with the two represented holes created by Anna Stump and Joe Alvarez, there’s something to make just about everyone smile. And admire the inventiveness and power inherent in play.
From Manuel Bracmonte’s “Technicolor Childhood” to Cathy Immordino’s make-your-own-diorama, Lauren Mendelsohn Bass’s vibrate game of checkers…
…Monica Rickler Marks wonderful write-your-own-message colorful clothes line, and Tom Lasley’s mannequin boy and assemblage signs, this exhibition is tribute to vibrant colors and whimsy, and serves as a sweet testament to imagination.
Above, a glorious wall sculpture by Susanne Hannon
In the upstairs gallery, on view until March 30th, Betty Brown and Eva Montealegre have curated the dynamic Fuerte! which vibrates with texture, color, and the tactile. Brown and Montealegre grouped together a rich panoply of West Coast-based, multi-cultural women artists. Exhibiting artists include Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja, Roxane Berger, Dellis Frank, Susanne Hannon, Debbie Korbel, Eva Montealegre, Richelle Rich, Leigh Salgado, Hiroko Yoshimoto, and Linda Vallejo.
Among the many standouts are Vallejo’s stunning, large-scale wall sculpture “Golden Earring;” Korbel’s purple hued free-standing sculptural pup, “Baby;” and the lacey insouciance and intricate delicacy of Salgado’s intimate and sensual hand-cut acrylic and paper works.
Frank’s vibrant mixed media found art and textile wall sculptures; and Rich’s astonishing depiction of lushness in “It’s All for You,” also dazzle. Montealegre’s dreamily deep oil paintings, and Davies-Aiyeloja’s acrylic works speak to us of other worlds and magic.
Each artist’s work is as immersive as it is full of spirit-elevating punch. Fuerte translates roughly to strong and sharp, and the images here live up to the title.
A note on The Makery: the gallery consistently offers fresh, unique, and inventive exhibitions. If you haven’t spent the time in this Little Tokyo-adjacent space as yet, you owe it yourself and the art in Los Angeles, to pay a visit. The space also offers rental creative space and a range of membership levels; founding and resident artists Dave Lovejoy, Cathi Milligan, Cathy Immordino, and Richard Chow have shaped a special place.
- Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis