In Cypress Park, la BEAST gallery celebrates the opening of its LA gallery, with a solo show by painter and sculptor Zaki Christ. An opening reception for “Nothing But Mammals” was held on April 23, 2022, but the show remains on view through May 28, 2022. Remember to confirm with gallery for up-to-date covid protocols and guidelines – (proof of vaccination and masks MAY be required).

The exhibition takes place the artist’s childhood playground—the flowing canyons of Cypress Park, Los Angeles. Aptly titled “Nothing But Mammals,” the work encapsulates the artist’s deep fascination with herd mentality through a series of large-scale paintings and sculptures. Abstracted buffalo are placed in stark contrast to wall-mounted sculptures of ethereal whale bellies. Christ transforms the space using the dichotomy of water and land. As one peers at the underbellies of a pod of whales, a herd of buffalo simultaneously parade across the opposite wall.

Nothing But Mammals is largely comprised of works created in 2022 and it represents the culmination of a project started by the artist nearly 15 years ago. Christ is intrigued by the ideas of groupthink and its manifestations, reflecting, “we as a society operate under the same conditions as other communal animals. We can’t help but require the group to make us feel whole. Herd mentality is an underpinning to our existence. This idea follows me like a shadow…”

On view: April 23, 2022 – May 28, 2022

What: “Nothing But Mammals,” Zaki Christ
Where: la BEAST gallery, 831 Cypress Ave., LA 90065
Website: https://labeastgallery.com