Castelli Art Space celebrates a new exhibition titled “CONNECTION” featuring paintings by Laura Letchinger and mosaic works by special guest, Piece by Piece.
As a child, Letchinger had dreams of becoming an artist, creating drawings, cartoons, calligraphy as well as large chalk murals. Her life took different directions, however, and it wasn’t until many years later that she committed to developing her childhood passion. She began sketching regularly again in 2012, while waiting in school carpool lines for her own children, which led to portable watercolors, and then to painting. “After so many years of detachment from such an integral part of who I was, it was a powerful reconnection”, said Letchinger. A friend encouraged her to post her work online…soon her work started selling. Another piece of the puzzle fell into place after she acquired representation by both Houston and Los Angeles galleries.
Like most artists, Letchinger frequents museums and art events as often as her schedule allows. “I really loved the Louise Bourgeois and Mark Bradford shows that were at Hauser & Wirth here in Los Angeles recently, and the art gallery at the We Rise event over by Chinatown was great.” Visiting Los Angeles galleries is another source of inspiration for the artist. “I made sure to see the Dirk De Bruycker exhibition at Fresh Paint in Culver City not too long ago. These are gorgeous paintings. I really, really like his work.” She also gave a nod to The Broad’s incredible exhibitions and cited other inspirational artists such as Katherine Dunn, Judithe Hernandez, Marc Chagall, Gerhard Richter, Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg, Christopher Wool, Gino Hollander and Mark Bradford.
Letchinger invited Piece by Piece, a nonprofit she discovered early this year, to be her special guest in the show. Piece by Piece teaches mosaic art workshops using recycled materials to low-income and previously homeless people in Skid Row and South Los Angeles in order to build skills, self-confidence, earned income and an improved quality of life. In addition to exhibiting a variety of mosaic sculptures and wall hangings, the artisans are creating a full size (60”x60”) mosaic interpretation of one of Letchinger’s paintings; both pieces will be on display. Letchinger will be donating 10% of her sales from the exhibition to the organization.
On view: October 4 – October 7, 2018
Where: Castelli Art Space, 5428 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016
Phone: (310) 204-6830
Website: https://www.lauraletchingerart.com https://www.piecebypiece.org
2022 Update: Castelli Art Space has closed its doors
