The Marian Goodman Gallery has made a grand entrance to Los Angeles, featuring an impactful debut with acclaimed director and artist Steve McQueen’s short film, “Sunshine State.” This powerful 30-minute piece delves into the history of blackface in Hollywood, prominently showcasing scenes from the iconic 1927 film “The Jazz Singer,” in which the late actor Al Jolson appeared in blackface.
These scenes, once protected by copyright, are ingeniously reversed in “Sunshine State,” symbolically erasing Jolson’s controversial use of blackface. The gallery’s new location in Hollywood, a product of L.A.-based architecture firm Johnston Marklee, promises to be a vibrant cultural space in one of the world’s most influential art communities.
Marian Goodman Gallery joins a wave of international and New York-based galleries that have set up shop in Los Angeles, reaffirming the city’s status as a burgeoning art hub. Stay tuned for a forthcoming solo exhibition by Cristina Iglesias and a diverse array of art presentations as this exciting gallery space unfolds its mission-driven commitment to furthering the creative practices of renowned artists.
