Los Angeles, CA– Among the features that make the LA Art Show a draw for both serious collectors and art enthusiasts is a reliably accessible mix of works from modern masters to emerging voices. The nucleus for the latter can be found in the Show’s Littletopia section, consistently among the most-trafficked areas of the fair.
Conceived three years ago by Noah Antieau of Red Truck, who sought an “antithesis show,” Littletopia is now a vibrant showcase for ascendant independent galleries. Befittingly, the section is marked annually with a large archway, this year created by dark surrealist artist Liz McGrath and Julie Beezy of Pretty in Plastic, who collaborated on the concept, design, fabrication and installation installing. Three chandeliers by Adam Wallacavage, who is known for his octopus inspired lighting designs, will also be featured.
Red Truck, which is based in New Orleans, will bring the work of several American and international artists, including Andrés Basurto, Jason Borders, Bryan Cunningham, Mab Graves, Katie Winchester, Butch Anthony andTom Haney.
Greg Escalante will present works by Esther Pearl Watson, Shepard Fairey, Jeff Gillette, Sandow Birk, Jorge R. Gutierrez and F. Scott Hess from his Gregorio Escalante Gallery and under the Copro banner, works by Alexandra Manukyan, Chris Mars, Amandine Urruty, Olivia, David Stoupakis and Travis Louie.
Paradigm Gallery + Studio from Philadelphia will bring an all-female line-up of artists to the Show, with works by Caitlin McCormack, Sarah Louise Davey, Hilary White, Nicomi Nix Turner, and Lauren Rinaldi.Other highlights this year include Artists Republic 4 Tomorrow (Laguna Beach).
LITTLETOPIA AWARDS
Continuing its tradition of recognizing key figures within the local and international arts community, LA Art Show is
again pleased to present Littletopia awards at a presentation that will be held on Thursday, January 12th at 6:00PM with LA Art Show producer Kim Martindale making opening remarks and Greg Escalante presenting the following awards:
CURATOR OF THE YEAR
Britt Salveson has been the curator and head of the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department and the Prints and Drawings Department at LACMA since 2009, where she curated Catherine Opie: Figure and Landscape (2010); Ed Ruscha: Standard (2012); Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium (2016); and Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters (2016).
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mel Ramos is an American Pop artist best known for his female nudes painted alongside brand logos. Ramos was
one of the first artists to embrace Pop art in the early 60s and his work is in the permanent collections of the Whitney
Museum of American Art, SFMOMA, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, among others.
COLLECTOR OF THE YEAR
Ben Goretsky is a Los Angeles native who currently owns and operates 3D Retro, a collectible art-toy store in Glendale which sells and produces collectible art figures. He has helped support the creative community by founding and running the annual show DesignerCon in Pasadena.
A series of satellite Littletopia events include a VIP dinner at Little Jewel of New Orleans on Thursday, January 12,
2017 followed by an after party on Chung King Road to celebrate Mel Ramos’ Lifetime Achievement Award from
8:30-11:00 pm. Presented by Juxtapoz Art Magazine and Littletopia with the LA Art Show 2017, the Chinatown
street party is open to the public and will feature a special guest dj set by Flavor Flav and a musical performance by
MRK. Collector of the Year honoree Ben Goretsky will host a private party at his home on Friday, January 13, 2017
followed by an afterparty that is open to the public at 3D Retro.
