Special Section: Art

If there’s a western perspective on anything, there’s one for art. Alta Journal’s Fall 2021 issue celebrates many of the art makers and curators who help represent California’s groundbreaking creativity.

Sep 27, 2021

PAWEL NOLBERT

Nine artists. One museum. One wise old critic. They reassure us that in this moment of enormous change, our hunger for creative expression remains as strong as ever.

A RETROSPECTIVE LONG OVERDUE

The pioneering artist Judy Chicago is celebrated in the city that launched her career. By Bridget Quinn

Q&A: JUDY CHICAGO IN HER OWN WORDS

earth birth, from the series birth project, 1983, by judy chicago

By Bridget Quinn

PERSONAL FAVORITE: WHAT HALE WOODRUFF’S SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT MEANS TO ME

hale woodruffs 1949 mural portrays black people in ways that segregated media ignore

PHOTO © Robin Dunitz

By Ishmael Reed

PERSONAL FAVORITE: TAKING TEA WITH HENRI MATISSE

hiejin yoo discovered tea, 1919, by henri matisse

By Hiejin Yoo

IN SEARCH OF AN ‘AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY’

Gregg Segal

The Central Valley’s Matt Black spent six years and traveled more than 100,000 miles—often by bus—photographing the ubiquity of poverty across the United States. By Jessica Zack

PERSONAL FAVORITE: FINDING ENERGY IN RUFINO TAMAYO’S SIMPLE MOMENT

teresa flores sees a strong connection between body and place in mujer con una mesa, woman with a table, c 1926 and 28, by rufino tamayo

By Teresa Flores

NEW TIMES, NEW HISTORIES

michael govan, the ceo and director of lacma, and stephanie barron

Gregg Segal

LACMA reimagines itself for the 21st century, challenging accepted notions of what artworks should be displayed and for whom. By Hunter Drohojowska-Philp

PERSONAL FAVORITE: LOOKING AT LORNA SIMPSON’S COLLAGE MAKES TIME COLLAPSE

erica deeman finds infinite worlds within ultra violet 2, 2015, by lorna simpson

By Erica Deeman

FUNK ART AND THE PURSUIT OF AUTHENTICITY

william t wiley at his studio in woodacre, california, in 2010

Jeff Vendsel/Marin Independent Journal

William T. Wiley and his creative philosophy were unapologetically linked to the Bay Area. By Charles Desmarais

PERSONAL FAVORITE: HOW SULAMITH CHANGED MY APPROACH TO FOUND OBJECTS

By Stuart Robertson

PERSONAL FAVORITE: SEEING MY STORY ARTICULATED IN FINDING BALANCE

maría magdalena campos pons, finding balance, 2015

By Andrea Chung

NOT EVERYONE SHOULD BE A CRITIC

THOMAS EHRETSMANN

Dave Hickey and the problem of great art going unappreciated. By Jim Lewis

Alta Picks: Off the Wall

Lemon Grove Historical Society

California’s world-class museums and galleries are an art lover’s dream. But don’t stop there. Surprising displays of creativity are everywhere. From desert plains to small-town alleys, here are eight of our favorite places to experience art off the beaten path.

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