LA Art Show Returns with Focus on Latin American Artists

LA Art Show Celebrates Cultural Relevance

Los Angeles is once again the epicenter of artistic expression with the launch of the 31st edition of the LA Art Show at the downtown Convention Center. Running from now until January 11, 2026, this year’s fair arrives well ahead of the prestigious Frieze, Felix, and Post-Fair events. Despite being the longest-running art fair in the city, the LA Art Show has faced criticism for being perceived as commercial and detached from the cutting-edge trends of the global art scene. However, a notable initiative organized by curator Marisa Caichiolo is set to challenge this notion, showcasing the cultural and political relevance of the event.

Caichiolo has curated the first Latin American Pavilion at the fair, featuring three booths from Artier Gallery in Palm Springs, Verse Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale, and the nonprofit Building Bridges Art Exchange, which she established in 2005. This pavilion highlights the work of contemporary artists from Latin America, presenting a selection of video art from the Pangue International Video Art Festival. The festival includes contributions from 20 vibrant artists across Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Chile, and beyond. ‘They’re artists that people here may not know, but they are incredibly impactful within their own communities,’ Caichiolo shared with Hyperallergic.

At the Artier Gallery booth, visitors will find a stunning display that features a linen pastel and charcoal drawing titled ‘Mutable Sun’ (2025) by Mexico City-based artist Natasha Grey, which depicts a jaguar alongside Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon. Flanking this piece are eye-catching futuristic masks crafted by Carlos Luna James, an artist from Ciudad Juárez, who draws inspiration from his experiences on the United States-Mexico border. Additionally, Colombian artist Dario Ortiz offers a contemporary twist on traditional stories through his meticulously painted canvases that reimagine mythological figures as modern-day border crossers.

Verse Gallery showcases a selection of artists primarily from Colombia and Ecuador, including resin sculptor Johnny Lopez, who fuses Indigenous and European themes with pop culture elements. Ecuadorian artist Maca Viva creatively critiques male power dynamics through her distinctive crown paintings, while Colombian Alejandro Sanchez engages with Minimalist aesthetics through his playful sculptures made from miniature storage containers.

In addition to the Latin American Pavilion, Caichiolo has also curated the non-commercial section, DIVERSEartLA. This year’s theme centers on biennials, featuring works from notable international exhibitions such as the Casablanca Biennial in Morocco and the Gwangju Biennial in Korea. A highlight of this section is a mini-retrospective of cross-border artist Marcos Ramírez, known as ERRE, whose thought-provoking works address Latine identity and immigration, including his iconic installation ‘187 Pairs of Hands’ (1996–97), which reflects on California Proposition 187, aimed at excluding undocumented immigrants from public services.

ERRE’s projects resonate deeply amid current events, particularly following the recent tragic killing of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by ICE agents, underscoring the urgency of his messages on labor and identity. ‘They tried to suppress us, surround us, and cage the workers, but everybody’s still working, right now,’ he stated, emphasizing the resilience of marginalized communities.

Beyond these thematic presentations, the fair features an impressive lineup of over 90 exhibitors, including international galleries showcasing works by iconic artists such as Picasso, Chagall, and Dali. Visitors can experience a diverse array of artistic expressions, from motorbike-inspired paintings by Clash bassist Paul Simonon to collaged works by Spanish artist Mersuka Dopazo. Despite its previous reputation, the LA Art Show promises an engaging experience that is well worth the visit this weekend.