Exploring Contemporary Art: Baobab Trees, Spiritual Deities, and…

Charles Gaines’s exhibition at Hauser & Wirth presents baobab trees through innovative grid work. David Zwirner showcases spiritual deities using found materials, creating ceremonial atmospheres. Luis de Jesus gallery features Crosthwaite’s artistic exploration of the US-Mexico border, merging cultural icons with fantastical elements.

Multimedia artist Charles Gaines, a prominent figure in Los Angeles’s art scene and a CalArts faculty member for over 30 years, is currently featured at Hauser & Wirth gallery. Known for inspiring numerous Black artists, Gaines’s works are included in prestigious museums globally. His exhibition, “Charles Gaines: Numbers and Trees, The Tanzania Baobabs,” runs from February 19 to May 24, 2025. This exhibition showcases large-scale representations of baobab trees, relying on numbered grids to explore complex systems in nature.

In the series, Gaines employs a mathematical approach to art. He uses a grid system vital to his imagery, reflecting the intricate details of trees, including their trunks and branches. The nine new works, inspired by baobab trees photographed in Tanzania, create an immersive experience resembling a forest, revealing the underlying natural systems of the trees and their structures.

Another notable exhibition is at David Zwirner gallery, running from February 13 to March 29, 2025. A Canadian-Jamaican artist showcases five towering figures made from found materials, arranged around a circular tapestry. Miranda describes the atmosphere as resembling a spiritual ceremony, with the deities reflecting a water theme. The vibrant tapestry, crafted from fabric and metal scraps, encapsulates Afro-Caribbean spiritual traditions, transforming ritual elements into an extraordinary artistic expression.

Luis de Jesus gallery, hosting work from March 1 to April 5, 2025, features artist Crosthwaite, whose background in Tijuana informs his border-themed art. He views the border as a confluence of cultures rather than a divide. His pieces blend Tijuana elements with icons like Mickey Mouse and Coca Cola, revealing a unique cultural landscape. Crosthwaite also incorporates Mexican religious art, presenting fantastical elements hidden within vibrant cityscapes. His recent adoption of color has produced striking works, showcasing the transformation of surreal concepts into lively images.

The article highlights three significant art exhibitions in Los Angeles, featuring Charles Gaines’s mathematical interpretations of baobab trees, a Canadian-Jamaican artist’s spiritual deities crafted from found materials, and Crosthwaite’s reflections on the cultural confluence at the US-Mexico border. Each exhibition offers distinct thematic explorations and innovative artistic techniques, showcasing the diversity and depth of current contemporary art practices.

Original Source: www.kcrw.com