Pace Gallery is set to present The Monster, an exhibition curated by artist Robert Nava, at its Los Angeles location from February 1 to March 22, 2025. This show brings together an intergenerational group of artists, many of whom are based in Los Angeles, to explore the theme of monstrosity through a contemporary lens. As part of this year’s edition of Frieze Los Angeles, The Monster promises to showcase a diverse range of works across paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, celebrating both modern and ancient forms of artistic expression.
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Drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein, the exhibition explores the complex nature of fantasy monsters, those larger-than-life figures found in childhood stories, mythologies, and the deepest recesses of the unconscious. As Nava explains, these aren’t the everyday monsters of our waking life, but rather the fantastical creatures that have the power to both terrify and captivate. Through this exhibition, Nava invites viewers to engage with these “pre-images,” creatures that exist beyond the boundaries of human and animal, and explore a world where the monstrous is reimagined in unique ways.
The show features works by a diverse group of influential artists, such as Huma Bhabha, Louise Bourgeois, Willem de Kooning, Jean Dubuffet, and Kiki Smith, alongside a roster of contemporary figures like Rashid Johnson, Robert Longo, and Paul McCarthy. Each artist brings their own interpretation of monstrosity, whether through abstracted figures or unsettling forms. A special focus on the work of Paul Thek, a major figure in the exhibition, anchors the collection, with his pieces serving as a bridge between the fantastical and the real.
Nava’s own works are a significant part of the exhibition, offering a window into his distinctive approach to monstrosity. His paintings and drawings, often imbued with existential and philosophical undertones, blend the raw with the refined. The figures in his pieces exude a sense of humor, contemplation, and vibrancy, yet they also embody darker themes that invite viewers to reflect on the nature of the self. Nava takes inspiration from a variety of sources, including mythology, horror films, and video games, creating a rich visual language that is both grotesque and familiar.
The exhibition allows the viewer to reconsider the role of the monster in contemporary culture and to recognize that, in many ways, the monster may be the most human figure of all. The works presented challenge us to rethink our definitions of beauty, monstrosity, and the spaces between the two.
Visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to engage with this multifaceted exploration of monstrosity until March 22, 2025, experiencing an exhibition that is as thought-provoking as it is visually captivating.
