Roberts Projects Revisited

Between fairs I visited the impressive new location of Roberts Projects on La Brea—just a few blocks above Wilshire. Completely renovated, this building has lofty ceilings and roomy gallery spaces, the largest currently filled with an inaugural show by Kehinde Wiley, “Colorful Realm” (through April 8). Each large oval painting in this show features a Black man or woman in a classical pose from European painting, except they are wearing contemporary street clothing and sneakers. The subjects are set against backgrounds of meticulously painted flowers, leaves and vines that echo Edo-period paintings—Edo being the period in Japan when the mercantile class and its tastes flourished. The painting is exquisite, and the cultural interweaving inspired, making this one of LA’s best current shows. While going through Frieze, I couldn’t help but notice the number of works which, similarly, feature quite consciously posed Black men, held in like dignity and grace.