Must-See Exhibition: Looking: Patrick Angus and Stuart Sandford in L.A.

Edward Cella Art + Architecturein Los Angeles has announced their latest exhibition, "Looking," on display June 20 through July 18. Featuring the artwork of Patrick Angus (1953-1992) and Stuart Sandford(b. 1978), "Looking" presents the drawings, photographs and sculptures of two wildly contrasting artists, offering a unique historical perspective of L.A.'s gay culture from different eras. This is the first time the work of the two artists is shown together in a gallery.

The exhibit coincides with LGBT Heritage Month and highlights the ever-evolving social climate of the city over four decades.

Providing a fascinating glimpse into the beginning of his career as an openly gay artist, "Looking" displays Patrick Angus's 1979 Los Angeles Drawings, a collection of figurative drawings inspired by David Hockney's book 72 Drawings. Born in North Hollywood, the artist was known fondly as "The Toulouse-Lautrec of Times Square" during his stint in New York City, and his work garnered attention at the time for its portrayal of young male erotic dancers at the Gaiety Theatre.

Above: A drawing by Patrick Angus

Since passing of AIDS in 1993, his paintings and drawings have been revered for their embodiment of urban gay life in the US during the '70s and '80s.

Depicting gay men together in their daily lives, the illustrations present humorously an emerging gay culture, one that was seemingly ignored by the general public at large in the late '70s. Angus, whose drawings feature artists such as Edouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, and Edward Hicks, considered this work to be a postmodern, referential dialogue and a direct conversation with his mentor David Hockney, who continued to be a big proponent of the artist until the end of his life.

"Looking" will be Stuart Sandford's debut at the gallery, following a fellowship at the Tom of Finland Foundation. After publishing artwork in BUTT, Hyperallergic, TUSH, and Out There Magazine, the Sheffield, England, native presents Polaroid photographs taken during his fellowship, along selected works, exploring the narcissism inherent in selfie culture and its effect on social media.

Creating a sequential portrait of his time spent with the erotic art community, Sandford's photography blurs the distinction between the participant and the artist.

There will be an opening reception on June 20. Director Marc Arranaga will also show his forthcoming documentary on Angus's life on June 23.

Looking: Patrick Angus and Stuart Sandford. From June 20 to July 18, 2015, at Edward Cella Art + Architecture, 2754 S. La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA (For more information, call 323-525-0053)