The Best Art Events to See in L.A. This Month

On any given weekend in Los Angeles, Saturday nights are usually bumping with art openings. From Downtown to Culver City, the city's artists—plus artists from around the world—are bringing Angelenos into galleries and museums.

Besides the always-interesting social scenes, these openings are worth checking out for their unique art. But how do you decide which to attend? Here's a quick guide to some of the best openings happening in L.A. this month. Whether showing Pop Surrealism or street art, these exhibitions are bound to help you find your new favorite artist if you happen to be in the City of Angels.

Artist(s): Amandalynn, Lady Mags, Tatiana Suarez

Dates: Oct. 11 - 25, 2014

Location: Known Gallery, 441 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles

Everything from fictional, mystical women to plants will converge for “See Life,” a nature-themed show with three powerful women in the graffiti and street art worlds. Tatiana Suarez, Lady Mags and Amandalynn have made a name for themselves with their signature styles. Lady Mags, and Amandalynn often collaborate together, mixing Lady Mags' bold writing and abstract compositions with Amandalynn's mysterious and beautiful figures. All three artists will take over Known Gallery in what will surely be a display of both street and fine art prowess.

Artist(s): Luke Chueh
Dates: Oct. 11 - Nov. 8, 2014
Location: Corey Helford Gallery Circa, 8530 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles

Adorable creatures lost in a not-so-cute human world make up the Pop surrealist paintings of Luke Chueh. His characteristic style turns animals like bunnies and polar bears into manic, suicidal figures headed towards destruction. You can find some humor in each story, but it's a grotesque, twisted kind. “Self-ish” will feature 20 new pieces and will also showcase new works on paper. In these strange compositions, expect to see lots of severed animal body parts and some explosives.

Artist(s): Chet Zar
Dates: Oct. 18 - Nov. 8, 2014
Location: Copro Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave. T5, Santa Monica

If there's one artist in Los Angeles who can bring the scary factor back into Halloween, it's definitely Chet Zar. With experience in both art and film—he had a creative hand in films like Hellboy and The Ring—Zar knows a thing or two about creating frightening creatures. Before Halloween even happens, Zar will have a solo show at Copro Gallery complete with a vintage Halloween costume party. If the preview painting is any indication—a skull with black hands holding a Halloween pumpkin—“All Hallow's Eve” will be nothing but delightfully creepy.

Artist(s): Francis Upritchard
Dates: Oct. 25, 2014 - March 1, 2015
Location: Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

For her first solo exhibition on the West Coast, Francis Upritchard will be presenting quite a group of fascinating sculptures. On display at the Hammer Museum will be a group of dinosaur creations and polymer clay figures. Almost life-size, the human figures look out with blank stares but seem strangely life-like. It's almost like the viewer has walked in on them, interrupting an activity or train of thought.

The making of the figures is an interesting as their eerie expressions. Their clothing is made and dyed by hand. The dinosaurs are created from balata, a material taken from rubber trees in Brazil. In addition to the show, Upritchard will host a Lunchtime Art Talk on November 5.

Artist(s): Various artists
Dates: Oct. 11 - 25, 2014
Location: Thinkspace Gallery, 6009 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles

Thinkspace Gallery regularly hosts shows that showcase some seriously talented artists, and the upcoming “Fresh” show is no different. Featuring the work of Alex Yanes, Cryptik, Joanne Nam, Kikyz 1313, and more, the group show brings different styles into conversation. The calligraphy-influenced work of Cryptik, for example, will bounce off nicely with the colorful, graphic work of Alex Yanes. The fairytale-like figural works of Kikyz 313 will balance well with the surreal scenes of Matthew Grabelsky. Each artist can definitely stand on their own, but putting them together will create an interesting dynamic.

Artist(s): Hideaki Kawashima

Dates: Oct. 18 - Nov. 15, 2014

Location: Richard Heller Gallery, 2525 Michigan Avenue #B-5A, Santa Monica

The ethereal figures of Hideaki Kawashima look out with large, dewy eyes. Something about them seems familiar yet unsettling. This distinctive style takes on different forms as Kawashima brings to life both graceful, soft figures and more eerie characters with all-black eyes. Kawashima has gained popularity both in the United States and abroad, and “Up and Down” will bright another group of characters that seem from another world altogether.

Artist(s): Various artists
Dates: Oct. 11, 2014 - April 26, 2015
Location: Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles

We're still not really sure whether Hello Kitty is actually a girl or a cat, but in the meantime, we won't deny that the little character has got some swag. She not only covers practically any surface she can find—including bags, toasters, and umbrellas—but she's also the subject of some awesome art. The book Hello Kitty, Hello Art! is proof of that, and at the accompanying Known Gallery show back in 2012, there were awesome Hello Kitty-inspired works, like a sick neon piece by RISK. The Japanese American National Museum will celebrate the character on its 40th anniversary with items from the Sanrio archive and Hello Kitty-inspired art. Expect works from artists like Audrey Kawasaki, Brandi Milne, and more. “Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty” will be just another sign of the character's complete cultural domination.

Artist(s): Mark Dean Veca
Dates: Oct. 18 - Nov. 22, 2014
Location: Western Project, 2762 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles

Working with cultural icons and words, Mark Dean Veca presents recognizable images with his own twist. In his intricate pieces, recognizable figures like the Tasmanian Devil cartoon seem almost ominous. Veca also takes on familiar brand logos, such as cymbal maker Zildjian, infusing them with his own psychedelic colors. “Everlast” will feature new paintings and works on paper that address the modern signs that surround us each day: billboards, liquor store signs, and more.

Artist(s): Lizzie Fitch, Ryan Trecartin
Dates: Oct. 22 - Nov. 26, 2014
Location: Regen Projects, 6750 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles

One of the most well-known collaborative duos in the art scene, Lizzie Fitch and Ryan Trecartin go way back to their studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. They now create spastic, intricate videos that feel like a jumble of YouTube first-person videos jumbled together and doubled in speed. The duo's videos are oftentimes hard to watch and even more difficult to understand, but parts of them seem extremely familiar. Something about the strange characters recalls figures in the modern world: the wanna-be YouTube, the spoiled teenager, and other hybrid caricatures we can't quite explain. You'll just have to see for yourself.

Artist(s): Ira Korman
Dates: Oct. 25 - Dec. 20, 2014
Location: Koplin Del Rio Gallery, 6031 Washington Boulevard, Culver City

Searching through flea markets, thrift stores, and more, artist Ira Korman finds forgotten photo booth snapshots and reimagines them in charcoal on paper. In bringing this memento back to life, the LA-based artist actually highlights the weight of mortality. His charcoal figures are captivating not just because of their subject matter but because of their photographic realness. “Memento Mori—New Drawings” will let the viewer's imagination take over to create stories about these anonymous faces.