LOS ANGELES -- After 19 years of fostering innovative and unconventional art, The Box LA will close its doors. Initially established as a commercial gallery, The Box evolved into a haven for experimental art, often embracing work that defied mainstream market trends, particularly performance art. Its final showcase, a retrospective of the dynamic artist Wally Hedrick, ran until April 4, with a closing celebration planned for June 6, featuring a fashion show by Johanna Went in collaboration with Asher Hartman.
Founder Mara McCarthy expressed her sentiments in a statement, saying, "It feels right to end this way, with the kind of work we always existed to support: radical, enlightening, and not easily contained by the commercial marketplace."
The Box was founded in 2007 in LA's Chinatown, later relocating to the Arts District. McCarthy, who is the daughter of renowned artist Paul McCarthy, envisioned the gallery as an "artist-formed space." It became a platform for both celebrated and emerging artists, including Barbara T. Smith, Simone Forti, and Naotaka Hiro, among others.
Naotaka Hiro reflected on his experience with The Box, noting, "That kind of space, where you can present something for the first time without having to resolve it in advance, is not easy to find."
Artist Corazón del Sol highlighted the gallery's unique ethos, stating, "Instead of saying, 'I don't think we could sell that,' they would say, 'make it weirder.' There was never a limitation."
Johanna Went, who began her career in the punk scene of early '80s LA, praised McCarthy's understanding of performance art during her retrospective at The Box in 2020.
The gallery was known for its bold programming, often tackling provocative themes that other venues might shy away from. This included Judith Bernstein's politically charged works and exhibitions that addressed contemporary issues such as climate change and authoritarianism.
While financial challenges were cited as a factor in the closure, McCarthy emphasized her continued commitment to supporting artists in various forms beyond traditional exhibitions. "Supporting artists takes many forms, and exhibitions are only one of them," she stated. "What many artists need most is conversation, presence, and genuine engagement."
The Box's legacy as a champion of avant-garde art will surely resonate in the art community, inspiring future generations to embrace creativity without boundaries.