Los Angeles Art Association is proud to present 4 solo exhibitions by Sol Hill, James Lane, Susan Ossman and Don Porter. These shows run April 9 – May 13, 2022 at Gallery 825 with a full day opening reception on April 9 from 10am - 5pm.

The founding principles of equality and liberty are the hallmark of pluralistic American democracy. State Of The Union presents work by artist Sol Hill, made of shredded and altered American flags recast as symbols of the fragile state of our democracy. These are not desecrations but courageous attempts to look unflinchingly at the damage that extreme polarization and vilification of our fellow citizens has inflicted on the body politic. There has been a systematic shredding of the fabric of our civil society, without which the institutions of democracy will not persist. Our ideological silos have hardened, deepened, and widened. Almost a decade ago, we Americans passed a dangerous threshold now bearing bitter fruit. In 2014 a slight majority of citizens believed that the greatest threat to our country is not a hostile or competitive foreign power, nuclear war, climate change, or the economy, but members of the other political party. In 2020 on average, 89.5% of members of both political parties said if the other presidential candidate won the presidency, it would inflict lasting harm on the country. Some in this country now trust foreign adversaries more than the other party. The polarization of political beliefs accompanies a polarization of culture where one side primarily values fairness and equality while the other primarily values liberty and purity. The inflexibility of our values leads us to believe the greatest enemies to our way of life are now our fellow citizens. We should value both founding principles rather than maintain “my” values are superior. The attitude of “My Country” rather than “Our Country” drives us apart. The artwork in this exhibit reflects the state of our union, which we collectively impose on our country, and asks the personal question, “How much am I involved?” CLICK HERE to view and purchase art by Sol Hill

James R. Lane’s ambitious exhibit EYECU – an exhibit of animal art from the animals’ perspective, offers the audience with a new view of a familiar subject. Humans comprise approximately 2.5% of the animal biomass on Earth yet we assume that the rest of the living beings on the planet see the world through our eyes. This exhibit of animal art is to be viewed through two perspectives – human eye level and animal eye level. Martin Buber once said, “an animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” This exhibit is an opportunity for us to learn the first words in that language. The works displayed utilize two different photographic techniques. One of the techniques uses Yupo paper and builds a textural image on top of the flat surface with the addition of oil paints, oleopasto and impasto thickeners. The second technique uses various strength acids in combination with watercolor paints to break down the cellulose in watercolor paper to achieve both depth and roughness to a photographic image. None of the work is framed under glass because, no matter the clarity of the glass, it is just an impediment to ‘embracing’ the animal depicted. CLICK HERE to view and purchase art by James Lane

Susan Ossman's new paintings that make up her exhibition In the Wash depict laundry drying in the open air. They stretch across multiple canvases, like sheets strung on clotheslines, suggesting how art can capture invisible movements: of the wind, or bring to mind the generations of unnamed women whose hands pinned freshly washed linens to clotheslines. Celebrating a practice that has faded or been marginalized in the USA , the exhibition invites contemplation on ecology, invisible labor and lost forms of sociability. It also conjures parallels between old ways of life and the ancient art of painting. “Christo’s Laundry” uses classical oil painting techniques to evoke the gentle swaying of cloth on a still spring day. Visible brush strokes shape the wind-twisted folds of “Winter Wash”. “Caught in the Sheets” turns laundry into an exuberant field of summer color. These diverse styles and palettes encourage reflection on the interplay of style and signature in an artist’s work and identity. A video accompaniment to the exhibition shows Ossman at work in her studio then follows how her the paintings inspired over 100 artists and scholars to collaborate in “On the Line,” a program of exhibitions, performances and participatory artworks in Riverside, California from 2012 through 2016. CLICK HERE to view and purchase art by Susan Ossman

In 2015, painter/sculptor/photographer, Don Porter, was called to the future to begin recording our planet’s fate. From the hundreds of images, he has sent to us thus far, Gaia distilled this exhibition, Matricide - Destiny Manifested. Porter’s prophetic photographs reveal the dark chaos that will result should we fail to save ourselves from ourselves. Our inadequate efforts toward reversing our planet’s accelerating destruction will continue to manifest in increasing uninhabitability, mass migration and the ethos of survival by any means. Guided by symbolic imagery in dreams and trances, Porter makes experimental temporary sculptures with anything imaginable, then photographs them as they devolve and disintegrate - metaphorically mirroring our planet’s demise. As he immerses vegetable, animal, and mineral in baths of pigmented liquids, he adds multi-sourced lights, and motion — then manipulates all aspects in unison until the images before him reveal his intended visions just long enough to be photographed.  
CLICK HERE to view and purchase art by Don Porter