Sprüth Magers LA
Photo: Joshua White/JWPICTURES

Sprüth Magers will open its new Los Angeles space, which joins their galleries in Berlin and London, with an exhibition of new artworks by art-world legend John Baldessari, on February 23.

There are few other artists who fill as important a position in the LA art scene as Baldessari, a much-loved figure in the art world, both for his artistic contributions and for his 30 years as a teacher in a number of California institutions. As a part of the group of artists who started the West Coast Modernist scene in the 1950s and 60s, Baldessari is an obvious choice for Sprüth Magers’s inaugural exhibition at their new branch, which will be run by Sarah Watson (formerly of L&M Arts) and Anna Helwing.

“We have been thinking about opening a gallery in the US for a long time,” explained Monika Sprüth and Philomene Magers via email to artnet News. “LA seemed like the right place for us as many of our artists live and work there. We see a real connection between the Berlin and LA art scene.”

Baldessari has created a new body of work specifically for the exhibition, which will consist of a series of found photographs captioned and annotated by the artist in his trademark style. The text is intentionally redundant, and designed to perplex and trigger the viewer to inscribe meaning to the imagery.

John Baldessari It’s Possible, Although… 
Photo: via Sprüth Magers

The gallery has thrived in both London and Berlin representing an impressive stable of artists including Barbara Kruger, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, John Waters, and Thomas Demand.

The success story is likely to be repeated in LA, where the art scene appears to be thriving in both mainstream galleries and an interesting alternative art scene. The city has attracted many artists in recent years due to the level of opportunity and cheaper rent in comparison to New York.

The gallery will join the Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits, the Craft & Folk Art Museum, and the Architecture and Design Museum on Museum Row.

“John Baldessari” will be on view at Sprüth Magers LA, courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery, from February 24 – April 2.