2016 Los Angeles Art Show Spotlights Modern and Contemporary Works

Lucy Tiven

Founded in 1994, the Los Angeles Art Show is the longest-running event exhibiting modern, historic and contemporary art in the country.

The show kicks off Jan. 27 with an opening night premiere party featuring Nick Cave’s “Soundsuit Invasion,” a site-specific performance by the musician/ author/ screenwriter.

Last year, the 200,000 square foot venue drew over 50,000 art enthusiasts, with over 120 galleries from 22 countries around the globe while recent shows have been lauded for featuring the most diverse groupings of Korean, Chinese and Japanese galleries outside of Asia and have included artists who have shown at major museums like the Met and LACMA.

The 2016 show includes 91 galleries and 27 museums and arts organizations while focusing on modern and contemporary art. Those looking for more traditional works of art can head next door to the Los Angeles Fine Art Show to peruse historic and traditional pieces.

Highlights include “Africa Contemporary – A Curatorial Project: Continental Shift,” “From the Streets to Canvas,” a celebration of Los Angeles’ street art culture, and “Visions of Chinese Contemporary Art,” a show presented by Shanghai’s National Base for International Cultural Trade spotlighting work negotiating artists’ relationships to the environment.

The Los Angeles Art Show runs from Jan. 27 to 31 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.