At a glance
A comprehensive look at how a single South L.A. gallery fostered a generation of Black artists and reshaped the city’s cultural landscape after the Watts Rebellion.
Why go
You'll see
Archival documents · Multi-media artworks · Early pieces by David Hammons · Suzanne Jackson paintings · Photography by Carrie Mae Weems
Pace of visit
The extensive selection of archival materials and historical context encourages a slower pace to fully grasp the gallery's community impact.
Don't miss
The archival section documenting the gallery's founding by Alonzo and Dale Brockman Davis following the 1965 Watts Rebellion.
Artlovers Tip
Take time to read the archival letters and posters, as they reveal the personal connections and community effort required to keep the gallery running for over two decades.
Inside the exhibition
Meet the artist
Description
The Brockman Gallery: Los Angeles, 1967–1990 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, United States, examines the legacy of a vital hub for artists of color. Founded by brothers Alonzo and Dale Brockman Davis, the gallery became a sanctuary for creative experimentation and intellectual exchange during a transformative period in American history.
The presentation features more than 60 artworks across various media, including painting, sculpture, and photography. These works are paired with significant archival material that traces the gallery's evolution from its origins in South L.A. to its role as a launchpad for figures like David Hammons and Carrie Mae Weems.
By focusing on the Davises' community-driven model, the exhibition shows how a grassroots project can influence the broader art world. It offers a clear view of how this specific space fostered multicultural dialogue and provided essential support for careers that would eventually gain international recognition.
Worth travelling for?
A significant and informative exhibition for those interested in the history of Black art in California and the power of grassroots cultural spaces.
Experience as an Artlover
Start by reviewing the historical timeline of the Watts Rebellion to understand the social atmosphere in which the gallery opened, then move through the works chronologically.
The Brockman Gallery: Los Angeles, 1967–1990
Artlovers relevance
Plan your visit
Hours & rating from Google
