In collaboration with The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Grand LA opened the art exhibition "Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure©" on March 31st, and the show has been extended until October 15th due to demand. Curated by Basquiat's family, the historic exhibition of 200 never-before-seen and rarely displayed artworks has allowed visitors to get an unprecedented look into the visionary artist's life. The multisensory experience uses immersive environments to share how Basquiat has left a lasting influence on art history and pop culture, weaving in the artist's influences and details from his personal life. In collaboration with P.S. ARTS, "King Pleasure" invites families in the community to experience the exhibit for free every Thursday evening, and Title 1 schools can organize free visits for students on Monday mornings.
Also currently on view at The Grand LA, local gallery UNREPD is showcasing emerging contemporary artists during a 9-month residency program. UNREPD X The Grand LA presents a four-part series of solo exhibitions by artists from underrepresented communities. Launched on April 8th, Edwin Marcelin's debut solo exhibition "Elevation: Abstract Meditations on Iconic Black Discipline" used paintings and video installations to comment on Black iconography and language. Corey Pemberton's solo exhibition "Person, Place, Thing" opened on June 3rd, which was his second show with UNREPD and explored how objects tell stories and the role of Black artists in keeping records. On September 9th, Valincy-Jean Patelli's solo exhibition "I Will Tell You the Future" presented a collection of mixed media pieces that delve into ancestral spiritual practices and the African diaspora. On November 4th, Moncho 1929 will conclude the UNREPD residency with his solo exhibition "Botanica," which investigates how African and Indigenous religious symbols and practices interact with Christianity in Latinx homes.
