While the word “zoo” could be used to describe the crowd energy at any art fair, the term is especially apt for Frieze Los Angeles this year, where animals feature prominently in more booths than one might expect. In the veritable collection of works of all kinds of media, there are several sculptures with snakes, fish, dogs, wild boars, rabbits and a variety of birds that especially attract attention.
Javier Ramirez, When I say Wabi You say Sabi (2024), Sow & Tailor (pictured at top of page)
Although the title of Javier Ramírez’s sculpture (on offer for $15,000) is a play on the Japanese term for the beauty of the simple, the imperfect and the fleeting, the work is a fusion of Japanese and Latin influences in his hometown from Los Angeles. His plaster parrot, squirrel, frog and dog bobblehead have a spiritual meaning, surrounded by plants and framed by pieces of fence found in the artist’s San Fernando Valley neighborhood.
Karin Gulbran, end of summer (2023), Massimodecarlo
Karin Gulbran, end of summer (2023), in Massimodecarlo Eric Thayer
The Los Angeles-based artist likes to depict animals and scenes from nature in her sculptural creations. Massimodecarlo’s stand features two of Karin Gulbran’s largest works: this giant vase with a pair of wide-eyed wild boars and a jumping rabbit ($28,000) and a floor lamp populated by a lion, a snake and a snail. Both works have already been sold; the gallery declined to provide specific information about the buyers, but confirmed that they were purchased by different people.
Gabriel Rico, No penny or paternoster (2023), OMR
Gabriel Rico, Without a penny or paternal (2023) than OMR Eric Thayer
Enigmatic, exquisite and violent, the Mexican sculptor’s piece “brings together images from the artist’s entire body of work,” says OMR partner Kerstin Erdmann, from the white fiberglass tree that “represents purity” to the ceramic snake that gives the work “. a sense of myth.” The piece is priced at $60,000 and is still available as of Friday afternoon; two more of Rico’s pieces can be seen at the gallery’s Mexico City pop-up in West Hollywood (until March 23).
Matt Johnson, Giant Shell Swan (2023), The Ranch
Matt Johnson, Giant Shell Swan (2023), in The Ranch Eric Thayer
Part of the Art Production Fund’s public programming at Frieze, this 8-foot-tall painted bronze swan greets fair visitors just outside the main gates. According to organizers, the Malibu artist’s interpretation of the “bass you might find in a seaside tourist trap” is symbolic of the deeper qualities humanity has equated with swans over the centuries: strength, beauty, grace and fragility of life. Giant Shell Swan it will remain on view until April 7, after which it will be available for purchase for $375,000.
Cosima von Bonin, And they bark 08 (2022), Petzel
Cosima von Bonin, And they bark 08 (2022), in Petzel Eric Thayer
One of the German artist’s irreverent fish sculptures, which stood sentinel atop the Giardini’s central pavilion during the 2022 Venice Biennale, And they bark 08 made the trip to Frieze with a stop for conservation. “It really needed to be cleaned after Venice because of all the pigeons,” says Petzel partner Andrea Teschke. The sculpture, priced at $90,000, was still looking for a buyer as of midday Friday.
Sula Bermúdez-Silverman, Amphisbaena (2023), Hannah Hoffman Gallery
Sula Bermúdez-Silverman, Amphisbaena (2023), at the Hannah Hoffman Gallery Eric Thayer
With Amphisbaena, the Los Angeles-based artist is reimagining a symbol from Chinese mythology—the ball and claw, which represents knowledge—except this claw holds a piece of bright red coral inside a glass ball. “When Europeans first saw coral, they thought it was this precious thing when in fact it was readily available in the sea,” explains Hannah Hoffman director Adrianna Cole. Sculpture is not as readily available; it sold during the VIP preview for $35,000.
Le Bontecou, No title (2001), Marc Selwyn Fine Art
Le Bontecou, Untitled (2001), wings Marc Selwyn Fine Arts Eric Thayer
Visitors familiar with Bontecou’s abstract wall-mounted sculptures may be surprised to see this cyberpunk bird made of steel, wire and porcelain at Marc Selwyn’s stand. “It’s more of a hybrid of a bird, a dragon and a dinosaur,” says Selwyn. “She was always interested in exotic and mystical animals.” Collectors were also interested, it seems; a buyer flocked to the sculpture during the fair’s VIP preview, snapping up the work for an undisclosed price.
