This past week, Los Angeles welcomed the third edition of Frieze LA art fair. LA has risen to become a major hub for global contemporary art, and like other Frieze iterations around the world, as well as similar large fairs like Art Basel. The event quickly ballooned into a wider cultural moment spanning a week of programming and exhibition openings across the sprawling metropolis.
Butter Art Fair took this opportunity to expand horizons and hosted their first art fair, incorporating not only national artists but homegrown talent like Fawlene Aziza. “ It was overwhelming getting prepared for this, but coming in today and seeing all of the pieces created for the gallery and meeting the other artist, I am now realizing the achievement I made,” Aziza said, speaking about the opening day jitters and unveiling her pieces to the public. “ I am so happy that we are celebrating Black people, Black creatives, Black joy, and really showing off the unbound talents of the community for this fair.”
BUTTER LA was an immersive four-day fair highlighting the creativity of the African diaspora from independent, emerging, mid-career, and established artists, in conjunction with the city’s Frieze Week.
The independent fair was produced by Stoodeo, the production startup launched by GANGGANG co-founders Mali and Alan Bacon to scale artist-centered initiatives nationally, making BUTTER LA their first project. Built on the foundation established by GANGGANG.
“Butter has always been committed to building systems of care and economic justice for artists across the African diaspora,” said Malina Simone Bacon, founder of BUTTER Fine Art Fair and co-founder of GANGGANG. “After five years of building and learning in Indianapolis, launching Stoodeo allows us to expand this work into new cities. BUTTER LA is our first step in bringing the model to Los Angeles in a way that is rooted in community, access, and long-term cultural impact.”
Aziza debuted several pieces, all inspired by her upbringing in Los Angeles. One of her pieces was called ‘Intersection’, showcasing Urban Saddle cowboys outside a store. Urban Saddle is a cowboy organization settled in South LA. “ I really wanted to highlight them because they have been just as impactful in the community, like the Compton Cowboys, and it was another way to represent my roots.” Another piece Aziza showed was ‘6 am Florence Archive’, a depiction of her commute to yoga and pilates class. “ I always passed Hanks Market in the morning and saw this lady selling tamales at 6 am,” Aziza said. My intention wasn’t to highlight the lady but to show the wonderful intersections of Black-owned business and Hispanic culture, and how we coexist within each other perfectly.”
Leading the BUTTER LA curatorial team is Nakeyta Moore, founder of ARTLOUDLA, who played a pivotal role in bringing Butter to LA. “ This has been one of the more grueling processes, but it was 100 percent worth it, especially with the turnout we had,” Moore said about opening night. “ This is the first time Butter moved out of Indianapolis, and my first goal was to build an authentic community in Los Angeles and allow the process to be artist-led, and that is the reason why the commission is 100 percent going to the artist.”
Moore also pushed the message of piquing the Black community’s interest in the art space not only creatively but also financially. “We have the opportunity to break the stigma of the art world being a mystery to the Black community, and with Butter, our fairs are a for us by us vibe, and I’m excited to continue curating not only with them but also with other galleries and events that allow us to create a welcoming space for us.”