Los Angeles According to: Bennett Roberts from Roberts Projects
In the latest in the series seeing the city through the eyes of its gallerists, the co-founder of the Westside art space picks his LA highlights
In the latest in the series seeing the city through the eyes of its gallerists, the co-founder of the Westside art space picks his LA highlights
Opened on Wilshire Boulevard as Roberts & Tilton in 1999, Roberts Projects moved from Miracle Mile to Washington Boulevard in Culver City and now occupies a 10,000 square-foot space on South La Brea Avenue. Its roster of artists features emerging names alongside established figures including Jeffrey Gibson, Betye Saar and Kehinde Wiley. Co-founder Bennett Roberts reveals where to get a grilled-chicken salad nearby and why the “the Wild West has finally become the new frontier.”
What’s great about your gallery’s location?
Everything, it’s close to other galleries, walking distance to restaurants and interesting stores.
What changes have you seen in your neighborhood since the gallery opened?
La Brea Avenue has become a hub for unique retail and the expansion of galleries.
Can you explain the ethos of your gallery and what unites your artists?
The thing that unites the artists that we work with is an interest in materials with strong sociological, historical and conceptual underpinnings.
Favorite museum or gallery in LA?
The Hammer because it is the most inclusive when it comes to new voices and points of view in contemporary art.
When Betye Saar visits the gallery, we often take a walk over to Liz’s Hardware.
Last exhibition you went to?
Arty Nelson’s One Trick Pony Gallery on Fairfax Avenue (soon to be Western Avenue) has a great show up now called “All Killer No Filler.”
Which emerging artists or media excite you at the moment?
Luke Agada is someone I am excited to be working with. He is a painter who has found a way to subvert our expectations about surrealism.
What’s different about the LA art scene to that of other cities (your local art scene in particular)?
The Wild West has finally become the new frontier.
Why would you recommend your neighborhood area to art lovers new to LA?
There are great galleries to see within a two-mile radius and we are close to LACMA and other museums on Wilshire Boulevard.
Favorite place to eat in your area?
République—it’s two blocks down the street from the gallery. They do a great grilled-chicken salad.
Best bar near the gallery?
The Mandrake Bar.
Your most recommended local business?
Liz’s Hardware, which is located across the street from our gallery. They are a unique old-school place with a little exhibition space upstairs and a room with metal materials available to anyone to make art with. When Betye Saar visits the gallery, we often take a walk over to check out their treasures.
Worst thing about LA?
The neverending traffic.
Best thing about LA?
The sunsets.
Roberts Projects is exhibiting at Frieze Los Angeles 2024.
Frieze Los Angeles 2024
Frieze Los Angeles is at Santa Monica Airport, February 29–March 3, 2024.
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