Los Angeles has been as impactful to the art world as a city can be. The heart of the film industry and home to world-renowned artists of every medium, it possesses a monumental influence on people worldwide. And yet, LA’s residents quietly inherit the city’s influence daily, it characterizes those brought up in it and alters transplants. Though inexplicable, there’s a certain “LA-ness” about all who reside in the City of Angels. While it certainly characterizes local habits, style, and lingo, it also weaves its way into local art.
As one of the few art galleries in the Sunset Junction–once bustling with creatives and artists–Worklife Studios prioritizes the qualities unique to local art and the city’s more intimate effect on its inhabitants.
When the idea of a group show first struck Managing Director Brianne Kimmel and her team, they immediately began brainstorming artists they’d want to showcase until they were left with an amalgamation of Angelenos; their work fiercely distinct yet united by locality. Starting October 10, Worklife invites you to experience this fascinating reflection of the city yourself, you can begin by getting acquainted with the featured artists whose collective work is a map of histories, places lived, and people met.
Born and raised in LA, Emily Labowe is an established figure in fashion as well as textile design. She creates intuitive, abstract art that decides its fate on the canvas. Many of Emily’s pieces are born out of recollection, conjuring specific memories and moments. In her words, her work “evokes a subtle essence of LA–from the rough edges to the bright colors, and textured mediums I use.”
For Emily, being a local means hyperspecific experiences only gleaned through generations of tradition and the power of nostalgia, “Walking on Figueroa St. in Highland Park, passing the establishment that was once my great grandfather's pharmacy. Going to the same high school my grandparents met at. Dining at restaurants like Musso & Frank and Taix, which my father grew up hanging at. Hiking Fryman Canyon which I’ve done since I was a little one with my mom.”
Emily’s advice to those visiting LA is as follows: “Seek out the green parrots in Highland Park. The Borekas from a hole in the wall in Sherman Oaks. The cityscape from up high in Lincoln Heights. The architecture at the Hollyhock House. The sunrise from a cliff overlooking the ocean in Malibu. The LA river near Frogtown overgrown with plants.”
Wallace May is a North Carolina-born, Los Angeles-based artist. She received her BFA in Art and Design at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her current body of work is mainly acrylic and watercolor paintings that center memory and “borrowed nostalgia,” asking viewers “to consider if it's possible to yearn for a time they didn't personally experience.” Her work has been featured by brands and publishers like Netflix, Forbes, The Princeton Architectural Press, Photo Trouvee Magazine, and more. Many of Wallace’s pieces capture old photographs of either family or strangers, alongside depictions of her own life that feel significant.
Of LA’s influential aspects, the architecture has lent itself most to Wallace’s work, “there are so many old buildings and homes that were built in a similar time to the old photographs I paint. I think there is a big mid-century modern feel to a lot of my pieces…being immersed in those types of surroundings in my day-to-day plays a huge role.” For Wallace, being a local is about a community that embraces and motivates, “It's scary to be the new kid when you don't know anyone in the LA art world but most people I've met have been nothing short of supportive and inspiring. It's very refreshing.”
Wallace’s advice to non-locals: “A lot of LA locals love to chat when they aren't in a hurry. I would ask the barista/bartender/waiter where they like to go see art, hear live music, eat an amazing meal, take a hike, etc. They will know the best places. Also, wear sunscreen.”
Phoebe Clemens Rigg is a self-taught LA-based oil painter. Her work attempts to name themes and images while her color and composition choices document—not just physical spaces–but the moods they emanate. For Phoebe, the painting process is extremely fulfilling, she is motivated by the prospect of creating work she will be proud of. The completion of each piece, she says, inspires her next project.
Environment is integral to her work, “My paintings are a direct representation of what I see.” Her works capture moments and scenes, many of which are firmly grounded in Los Angeles. “My work is saturated with LA,” says Phoebe. Upon moving to Los Angeles, she was immediately captivated by the way light is cast throughout the city, she is constantly chasing the contrast between sun and shadow. The cityscape can be seen in several of her more figurative pieces, while still lives contain purchases from local wine shops, bookstores, and farmers markets.
For Phoebe, being a local is tied to a constant unearthing, “I’ve been in LA for over a decade and I’m still discovering the city.”
Her advice to non-locals is a simple warning: “Don’t take public transport.”
Conner Meager is an LA-based artist who uses elements of the past to create something digestible for the present. While his most used materials are an ode to his hometown, Detroit, his subject matter reflects a childhood obsession with rock 'n roll culture and a love of film.
Though not originally from Los Angeles, Conner has always felt drawn to it, “LA was one of the first things to ever inspire me as an adolescent.” Conner’s career as a painter and mosaicist began upon arriving in LA. He believes a sense of belonging truly determines what makes someone a local, “I always felt like an alien back home, it wasn't until I came here that I finally felt like myself.”
Conner’s advice to non-locals: “Just live it, let it live through you. Don't let all the stuff you hear about in the movies or on social media distract you from the beauty this place has to offer. Know who you are or at least have an idea of who you want to be, because it's easy to get stuck in all the muck that it takes to get there—if you have a clear goal and purpose, you can use it to paint the perfect picture.”
Easton Schirra lives and loves in his home of Los Angeles with his fiancé and cat, Punk. He finds inspiration in the beauty of the world and the people that inhabit it. Starting in fashion and learning from masters such as Stephen Klein and Stephen Lipman, he has built a portfolio of diverse work making musicians, actors, and models feel like the most beautiful person in the world.
A modern-day renaissance man, or in his words “a caffeine-fueled octopus,” Easton creates as much of whatever he can. Not only a photographer but also a musician and actor, he works best in a state of chaos, overwhelmed to the point of creation. “And then,” he says, “the burnout hits. Rinse and repeat”
Easton moved to LA to pursue acting at the age of 12, “This is the land of opportunity. It’s always been the dream for me.” To him, Being a local means “Knowing where Hollywood Dell is and pretending our sunshine-filled, ozempic-powered bubble is totally normal!”
His advice to non-locals is straightforward: “Don’t get on the freeway at any time—ever.”
Now that you’ve gotten to know these locals whose work is as distinct as their relationship to Los Angeles, Worklife invites you to see their art in person.
When: The opening night reception of “Keeping it Local” is on October 10 from 6-10 pm. The show will run from October 11-25 from 11-6 pm weekdays.
Where: Worklife Studios–3531 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.
RSVP: On Eventbrite
