Ever wondered what the Peggy Guggenheim of Lowbrow art looks like? Welcome to La Luz de Jesus Gallery.
This isn’t your typical stuffy art gallery. La Luz de Jesus opened in 1986. It’s the brainchild of entrepreneur and art collector Billy Shire. He’s the one who brought underground art to the masses. The gallery’s located in the vibrant Soap Plant/Wacko complex on Hollywood Boulevard. Its history is a whirlwind. It started in a bright pink building on Melrose Avenue. It later moved to its current location in the Los Feliz/Silverlake district.
La Luz de Jesus championed Lowbrow art. It showcased artists like Manuel Ocampo Robert Williams and Joe Coleman. These artists were largely unknown then. Now they are art world stars. The gallery’s exhibitions are anything but predictable. They feature figurative narrative paintings. You’ll also find unusual sculptures and a mix of styles. Think folk art outsider art religious art even alternative erotica. The gallery has a monthly show. The first Friday of each month is the opening reception. It’s a lively event. You can find everything from classic lowbrow to the newest emerging artists. There’s even an annual group exhibition called “Everything But the Kitchen Sync”. It features up-and-coming artists.
La Luz de Jesus Gallery isn’t just a place to view art. It’s a vibrant part of Los Angeles art history. It’s a place that challenges and entertains. It makes art accessible to everyone. So take your time. Explore the art. Absorb the atmosphere. You are experiencing a vital part of Los Angeles art culture. You’re standing in a place where art history was made and continues to be made.