Contemporary Art

This exhibition features, two artists, the paintings of Hyesook Park and sculptures of Sung Il Kim. The show features a vibrant selection of the two artists’ works that illustrate individual explorations of the human body, soul, and spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Leveraging the unique visual cultures of the Korean diaspora, the artists’ works highlight the multifaceted nature of experience and culture.

The exhibition brings together artists Michael Massenburg, Aiseborn, and Mr. B Baby to explore the intersections of family,
culture, and community. Curated by Guillermo Aviles-Rodriguez, PhD., the works will be on view Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from April 13 to August 2024, with a reception/artist talk and performance by Nedra Wheeler Trio taking place Sunday, June 9 at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Cover image: Helping Families Grow, by Michael Massenburg, Aiseborn, and Mr. B Baby located at Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center

Mark Bradford’s 150 Portrait Tone, a mural-size composition that contains elements of both abstraction and realism, is based on an idea for a work that the artist conceived after the fatal shooting of Philando Castile by a police officer in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in July 2016. Castile, a nutrition services supervisor at an elementary school, was shot after being pulled over in his car—an incident that was livestreamed on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, who was sitting in the passenger seat next to him.

The painting features excerpts of Reynolds’s dialogue from the video. The title, 150 Portrait Tone, refers to the name and color code of the pink acrylic used throughout the painting. Like the now-obsolete “flesh” crayon in the Crayola 64 box (renamed “peach” in 1962), the color “portrait tone” carries inherent assumptions about who, exactly, is being depicted. In the context of Bradford’s painting, the title presents a sobering commentary on power and representation.

The exhibition provides a vibrant exploration of the art of comics and visual storytelling across the vast continent of Asia. Visitors will embark on a chronological journey from the historical beginnings of this unique art form to the most recent digital advances. While the ubiquitous Japanese manga takes center stage, the exhibition extends its scope beyond, showcasing key creators, iconic characters, and significant publications from across the continent.

Adults – $18, Seniors and Students – $15, Members and Children under 12 – Free

Ancestor’s Voices delves into intergenerational trauma, tracing our ancestral roots and bringing their stories to life. Through emotional storytelling, we explore the impact of this trauma on our present lives, both physically and emotionally.

This evolving performance stems from community workshops delving into inherited trauma. Collaborating with epigeneticist Kathy Sanders-Phillips and immunologist Devavani Chatterjea, we explore the passage of generational trauma, alongside themes of identity and belonging.

Renowned poet Carol V. Davis’s evocative poetry is weaved through the dance, adding depth and emotional resonance.

Each performance, will be followed by a post-show discussion with the audience, gathering feedback to refine our work for its official premiere in 2025.

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

James Tadanao Sata created some of the most adventurous photographs made in America in the 1920s and ’30s. Abstract spheres and triangles, complex arrangements of figures and shadows, and spaces rich with deep and delicate tones emphasized geometric forms and conveyed newness, modernity, and irony. This exhibition comprises sixty photographs by Sata, photographs of Sata’s concentration camp paintings and drawings, and family artifacts from the camp.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

This exhibition features, two artists, the paintings of Hyesook Park and sculptures of Sung Il Kim. The show features a vibrant selection of the two artists’ works that illustrate individual explorations of the human body, soul, and spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Leveraging the unique visual cultures of the Korean diaspora, the artists’ works highlight the multifaceted nature of experience and culture.