Upstairs at The Market Gallery is operated by The City Market of Los Angeles and is located in one of the oldest produce markets in the country, providing space for emerging and established local artists.  This time around, Upstairs at The Market Gallery presents two solo shows by L.A. based artists Nat George and Nuttaphol Ma.  George’s canvases and Ma’s site-specific works both echo ideas of history, locality, and belonging.

Nat George provides several large oil paintings for the “Urban Landscapes” exhibition”.  You’ll be presented with a visual problem through the introduction of an out-of-place yet iconic architectural element- the lifeguard tower- questioning issues of land use and perceived value in the face of unbridled development or blatant neglect.  As a symbol of a bygone era, the lifeguard tower creates a bizarre scene with the city escape.  Out of place, out of context and rendered useless as to its original purpose, the structure’s presence raises questions around stewardship of the land; it’s financial or perceived value, public use of space, and historic preservation in Los Angeles.

Nuttaphol Ma on the other hand, presents “Off the Wall”, in which he examines patterns and sequences, which present themselves as strings of events, recurring fund shapes and numbers.  The artist records these dialogues through photography, performances, video and text.  Ma’s current sit-specific sculptural works map the artist’s abstraction of how he weaves between dreams of leaving and dreams of roots; between past and present; between longing and not belonging. 

Where:  Upstairs at The Market Gallery
             1057 S San Pedro St 
             Los Angeles, CA 90015
             (213)746-0646 or visit: www.citymarketla.com

When: From February 25 through March 8. Monday- Friday from 11am-6pm

Price: Free!