Skip to Content
Art

Preview: Lust Letters ~ Opens February 16th

IMG_3719

LUST LETTERS

PRESENTED BY CHINATOWN’S COAGULA CURATORIAL

OPENS FEBRUARY 16, 7-11pm

An exhibition exploring the juncture where literature and fine art meet with the longings of the flesh with works by Tim Youd, Gajin Fujita, Erica Rawlings and Bruce Richards

Co-curated by Joan Aarestad and Mat Gleason, the four artists featured in Lust Letters include:

Tim Youd works in various forms and much of his work has been inspired by writers such as Philip Roth, Celine, and Henry Miller. Recently he has turned to Anais Nin’s evocative Delta of Venus for inspiration. His 33-foot long diptych, based on Nin’s Delta of Venus, is derived from the stories found in the antique pages of Nin’s erotica and retyped by the artist himself; in subordinating the actual pages of Nin’s text to his own creative process, Youd frees literature from the lofty perch of literary pretense and sets it free in the decadence of its own raw and physical context.

YOUD-1 web

The exhibition includes major works by Gajin Fujita, the ground breaking Los Angeles artist famous for merging the iconography of erotic Edo-era Japanese woodblock prints with contemporary graffiti subcultures in vibrant paintings. In his paintings, Fujita blends a rich diversity of cultural influences that range from traditional Japanese ukiyo-e to contemporary manga; from American pop culture, to East L.A. Street-life iconography and graffiti. Fujita also combines a variety of process techniques and media.

Underground artist Erica Rawlings’ installation for the gallery is comprised of hundreds of handmade lace Valentine hearts sewn by the artist as a poetic evocation of the neuroses of a billion failed relationships.

summertime

The nationally celebrated, allegorical painter Bruce Richards, uses semiotics in his precise and masterful paintings to guide viewers on a clue-filled journey of passion and intrigue.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

This Weekend: Thai-Salvadoran Sandwiches, Asado Negro Tacos, and New Westside Korean

Plus wild caught Maine lobster rolls, Guatemalan garnachas on a lake, and a favorite for tacos al vapor.

November 8, 2024

L.A.’s First Cochinita Pibil is Legendary and Still Amazing, 52 Years Later

“Cochinita is my fountain of youth,” jokes Marc Burgos, the second-generation owner of this pioneering panaderia. At 50 years old, he is younger than his father’s pioneering Yucatán bakery, the first in L.A. to offer cochinita pibil tacos. 

November 7, 2024

The 24 Best Tacos Al Pastor, Adobada, and Árabes In Los Angeles

Is al pastor L.A.'s official taco? Judging by the sheer amount of crispy-edged trompos dotted around every single corner of this beautiful city, we can certainly make that argument. Here is our vetted list that took us nearly two decades to compile. ¡Provecho!

November 7, 2024

Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra Director Seeks Donations to Avoid Losing Childhood Home in Leimert Park

After Session’s landlord “abruptly” served him with a 60 day notice earlier this month, “for no other reason than wanting to sell the property,” Session decided his best chance of staying in the house would be to buy it.

November 6, 2024

A Guide to Voter Guides in L.A. County

Remember, you have until 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th) to vote. L.A. County has reasonably accessible voting infrastructure that allows you to return your ballot by mail, hundreds of ballot drop-boxes stationed around the county, as well as the ability to vote in-person at a vote center.

November 5, 2024
See all posts