Photos by Evan Hunter McKnight for Pulp Lab
Discover the dynamic and diverse world of contemporary art at the prestigious Frieze Art Fair, held on February 16-19, 2023 at Santa Monica Airport. With over 120 galleries from 22 countries, this year’s fair is the largest in L.A.’s history.
Amongst the exhibits, Narsiso Martinez, winner of the Frieze Impact Prize, showcases his artwork, which speaks to his history as a farm laborer. Also impactful was Iranian artist Mamali Shafahi, represented by Tehran-based gallerist Hormoz Hematian, who braved through turbulent times to present his work.
Photographer and visual storyteller Evan Hunter McKnight, based in NYC, captures the thought-provoking nature of contemporary art and its inspiring impact exclusively for Pulp Lab. Join us as we delve into the Frieze Art Fair 2023.

Frieze Impact Prize winner Narsiso Martinez, represented by Charlie James Gallery posing in his booth. Martinez’s work is directly connected to his history as a farm laborer, painting portraits of farm and kitchen workers on discarded produce boxes.
Frieze Impact Prize winner Narsiso Martinez, represented by Charlie James Gallery posing in his booth. Martinez’s work is directly connected to his history as a farm laborer, painting portraits of farm and kitchen workers on discarded produce boxes.

Tehran-based artist Mamali Shafahi posing next to his piece “Monkey Fever 1” with Tehran-based gallerist Hormoz Hematian of Dastan Gallery. They are in front of a Peybak Shafahi painting.
Tehran-based artist Mamali Shafahi posing next to his piece “Monkey Fever 1” with Tehran-based gallerist Hormoz Hematian of Dastan Gallery. They are in front of a Peybak Shafahi painting.

Patrons of Xavier Hufkens Gallery viewing a Peggt Pierrot piece.
Patrons of Xavier Hufkens Gallery viewing a Peggt Pierrot piece.

Photographer Camila Falquez posing with some of her work represented by Hannah Traore Gallery.
Photographer Camila Falquez posing with some of her work represented by Hannah Traore Gallery.

New York based Garth Greenan Gallery presenting works by James Luna. Luna was a performance, installation and visual artist who passed in March of 2018. His career was centered around giving voice to Native American cultural issues, and questioning the ways Native people are pictured and ”honored” in White imaginary.
New York based Garth Greenan Gallery presenting works by James Luna. Luna was a performance, installation and visual artist who passed in March of 2018. His career was centered around giving voice to Native American cultural issues, and questioning the ways Native people are pictured and ”honored” in White imaginary.

Photo exhibition from Gladstone Gallery
Photo exhibition from Gladstone Gallery

Photo exhibition from Gladstone Gallery
Photo exhibition from Gladstone Gallery

Patron with “Sphinx” by Simone Leigh in LA based gallery Matthew Marks Gallery’s booth.
Patron with “Sphinx” by Simone Leigh in LA based gallery Matthew Marks Gallery’s booth.

Patrons with one of Jennifer West’s series Hologram Phantom Limbs.
Patrons with one of Jennifer West’s s

Photographer Camila Falquez and her works.
Photographer Camila Falquez and her works.

Uova, a ceramic piece by the Itialian artist duo, Bertozzi & Casoni. Represented by New York gallery Sperone Westwater.
Uova, a ceramic piece by the Itialian artist duo, Bertozzi & Casoni. Represented by New York gallery Sperone Westwater.

Uova, a ceramic piece by the Itialian artist duo, Bertozzi & Casoni. Represented by New York gallery Sperone Westwater.
Uova, a ceramic piece by the Itialian artist duo, Bertozzi & Casoni. Represented by New York gallery Sperone Westwater.

Roberta’s Pizza’s new LA location
Roberta’s Pizza's new LA location

Roberta’s Pizza oven onsite
Roberta's Pizza oven onsite

“40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper” by Chris Burden presented by Gagosian outside the Frieze LA West Site.
“40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper” by Chris Burden presented by Gagosian outside the Frieze LA West Site.

Ruinart Champagne commissioned Californian artist Stanya Kahn create an installation for their Frieze lounge. This is a venette of the lounge with one of her paintings.
Ruinart Champagne commissioned Californian artist Stanya Kahn create an installation for their Frieze lounge. This is a venette of the lounge with one of her paintings.

Oliva Gauthier of gallery Vielmetter Los Angeles posing with sculpture “Together Again; Fall” by Arlene Shechet.
Oliva Gauthier of gallery Vielmetter Los Angeles posing with sculpture “Together Again; Fall” by Arlene Shechet.

Patron in L.A. Louver booth.
Patron in L.A. Louver booth.

San Francisco gallerist Jonathan Carver Moore posing with visual artist he represents, Carrie Ann Plank.
San Francisco gallerist Jonathan Carver Moore posing with visual artist he represents, Carrie Ann Plank.

Richard Serra’s “Casablance” series shown in LA bases gallery Gemini G.E.L.’s booth.
Richard Serra’s “Casablance” series shown in LA bases gallery Gemini G.E.L.’s booth.

Richard Serra’s “Casablance” series shown in LA bases gallery Gemini G.E.L.’s booth.
Richard Serra’s “Casablance” series shown in LA bases gallery Gemini G.E.L.’s booth.

Stong interiors of East Site.
Stong interiors of East Site.

Stong interiors of East Site.
East Site.

New York based Garth Greenan Gallery presenting works by James Luna.
New York based Garth Greenan Gallery presenting works by James Luna.

“40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper” by Chris Burden presented by Gagosian outside the Frieze LA West Site.
“40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper” by Chris Burden presented by Gagosian outside the Frieze LA West Site.

40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper” by Chris Burden presented by Gagosian outside the Frieze LA West Site.
40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper” by Chris Burden presented by Gagosian outside the Frieze LA West Site.

Car service pick up and shuttle to parking.
Car service pick up and shuttle to parking.

West Site exterior.
West Site exterior.

The walk between sites.
The walk between sites.

Delicious food from vendor Roberta’s Pizza. Established in 2009 in New Yorks Little Italy. Now flushing in it’s most recent LA location.
Delicious food from vendor Roberta’s Pizza. Established in 2009 in New Yorks Little Italy. Now flushing in it’s most recent LA location.

Patrons with one of Jennifer West’s series Hologram Phantom Limbs.
Patrons with one of Jennifer West’s series Hologram Phantom Limbs.

Car service pick up and shuttle to parking.
Car service pick up and shuttle to parking.