At Frieze LA 2025, the artists on display share a common engagement with the environment and human experience, often using innovative mediums and concepts to invite viewers to reflect on their surroundings. Artists like Doug Aitken and Olafur Eliasson both explore perception, but in distinct ways—Aitken's multimedia assemblage of mixed fabrics combines tactile elements to evoke a dynamic interaction with the environment, while Eliasson’s acrylic and ink abstract painting creates a dialogue about light and space through its evocative title. Similarly, Richard Misrach and Sterling Wells both engage with landscapes, though in different ways. Misrach’s evocative photograph of a couple in a secluded landscape captures the subtle intimacy between the figures and their natural surroundings, while Wells’ landscape painting explores the sometimes toxic relationship between man and nature.
Georg Baselitz, David Hockney, and Robert Longo are also united in their exploration of both iconic and emotional imagery. Longo’s dramatic depiction of a jet fighter plane speaks to tension and movement, while Hockney’s digitally rendered vibrant landscape and Baselitz’s intense, inverted figure each challenge the viewer’s understanding of space and perspective. Catherine Opie’s work at this fair is also centered on landscapes, presenting compelling photographic views that address themes of place and identity, in contrast to her well-known portraiture.
Additionally, Marilyn Minter, Sylvie Fleury, and Elliott Hundley all utilize glossy surfaces, vibrant colors, and layered imagery to explore themes of beauty, consumerism, and culture, each bringing a distinct perspective to the conversation about how these forces shape our identities. Finally, Jack Pierson’s witty, satirical work on paper adds an element of humor and critique to the fair, offering a lighter yet sharp commentary on contemporary life.
These artists, despite their varied approaches and mediums, are all connected by a shared interest in how we relate to the world, whether through landscapes, abstraction, human figures, or the built environment. Their work encourages us to consider both personal and societal narratives, bringing fresh perspectives to the dynamic and multifaceted art world.