Exploring Spirituality and Identity in LA Art: Charles Gaines and More

Multimedia artist Charles Gaines, a faculty member at CalArts, is currently exhibiting baobab tree artworks at Hauser & Wirth gallery in Los Angeles. Other notable exhibitions include a series of towering figures at David Zwirner gallery and Crosthwaite’s border-themed artworks at Luis de Jesus gallery, both emphasizing spiritual and cultural narratives.

Multimedia artist Charles Gaines has significantly impacted the art scene in Los Angeles, particularly as a faculty member at CalArts for over 30 years. His influence has prompted many Black artists to pursue Master of Fine Arts degrees. His acclaimed works are featured in prestigious institutions globally, including the Tate, MOMA, and the Whitney. Currently, he is the artist-in-residence at Hauser & Wirth gallery in West Hollywood, showcasing his monumental artworks of African baobab trees.

The exhibition titled “Charles Gaines: Numbers and Trees, The Tanzania Baobabs,” will be displayed at Hauser & Wirth from February 19 to May 24, 2025. Since the 1970s, Gaines has explored tree motifs utilizing numbered and colored grids on plexiglass, demonstrating a mathematical approach to art. Carolina Miranda notes that his current works, inspired by baobab trees photographed in Tanzania, immerse visitors in a forest-like experience within the gallery.

Gaines’ creations aim to reveal the underlying systems of representation. Miranda elaborates that his works illustrate the intricate structures of trees, including their cells, roots, and branches, making these natural phenomena visible to the observer.

At the David Zwirner gallery in Hollywood, from February 13 to March 29, 2025, a Canadian-Jamaican artist has constructed five towering figures, each over 12 feet tall, surrounding a circular textile tapestry. Consisting of reclaimed materials, these sculptures convey a spiritual essence, and their creation incorporates themes of water in Afro-Caribbean traditions. As stated by Miranda, the atmosphere resembles that of a ceremonial space.

Finally, at the Luis de Jesus gallery in Downtown Los Angeles, from March 1 to April 5, 2025, artist Crosthwaite, who has dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico, explores the border region’s unique cultural identity. Miranda explains that his artwork merges aspects of Tijuana with iconic elements such as Mickey Mouse and Coca-Cola, creating a singular culture marked by the border, and his works often hint at Mexican religious artistry.

Crosthwaite, who draws on comic book influences, has recently embraced color in his works after years of working solely in black ink. His vibrant paintings feature curious scenes, like fantastical beings among Tijuana cityscapes and whimsical interpretations of deities, showcasing his remarkable evolution as an artist.

The exhibitions featuring Charles Gaines, the Canadian-Jamaican artist, and Crosthwaite highlight the cultural richness and complexity present within contemporary art in Los Angeles. Gaines’ mathematical representation of nature, alongside the spiritual innovation of the Canadian-Jamaican artist and Crosthwaite’s vivid renderings of border life, collectively demonstrate a profound exploration of identity and artistic expression within diverse contexts. These showcases invite audiences to engage deeply with the artistry and narratives they present.

Original Source: www.kcrw.com