Frieze is always a highlight of the art calendar, and this year’s event has been especially meaningful.
LA’s been through a lot lately, but Frieze showed just how powerful the arts can be in bringing people together and pushing communities forward. The Santa Monica Airport was buzzing with creativity, with over 95 galleries from 20+ countries turning the space into a global hub for new ideas and perspectives.
It was especially great to see LA’s own art scene show up strong. Nearly half of the participating galleries were local. The creativity and conversations reminded me how much events like this matter, with many artists donating proceeds to the various fire victims and first responder efforts.
One of the coolest moments was meeting Takashi Murakami, one of the most famous artists in the world. Known for blurring the line between high and low art, Murakami’s work is instantly recognizable. It’s playful, bold, and deeply rooted in Japanese culture. He’s collaborated with many talented visionaries, and seeing his work up close was a reminder of why he’s such a powerhouse in contemporary art.
But Frieze isn’t just about the big names. It’s about discovery— new voices, fresh perspectives, and artists pushing boundaries. As I explored, it was great to add a few new pieces to The Clark Collection, including this ceramic statue of a dog by artist Maia Cruz Palileo from the David Kordansky Gallery. Palileo is a multi-disciplinary, Brooklyn-based artist who creates paintings, works on paper, installations, and sculptures. Migration and the shifting definition of home are constant themes in Maia’s work, and it was inspiring to hear that the proceeds of this piece went to fire relief.
My good friend and gallerist Mariane Ibrahim was also at Frieze, and I acquired Peter Uka’s vibrant painting titled Hope (oil on canvas, 2024). Peter Uka, who was born in 1975 in Nigeria and is currently based in Cologne, Germany, creates figurative paintings from his memories of Nigeria. His bold work conveys innate and timeless human emotion.
Throughout the event, I saw so many galleries bringing thought-provoking pieces that challenge, uplift, and empower. Frieze LA was a reminder that creativity doesn’t just reflect life—it helps rebuild it.
