Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

John Altoon Studio

In 1962, artist John Altoon moved from what is now West Hollywood to a new studio at the southern edge of Santa Monica, near Venice. Nearby were several of Altoon’s friends, including artist Larry Bell. Typical of the neighborhood at the time were vacant storefronts, abandoned buildings, and cheap studio spaces.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Ocean Park Series

    Ocean Park Series, 1962, John Altoon. Oil on canvas. 72 x 84 in. Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach, CA: Museum purchase with additional funds provided by Dr. James B. Pick and Dr. Rosalyn M. Laudati, Mr. Ward Chamberlin, Mrs. E.G. Chamberlin, Patricia Fredericks, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Neisser, Mr. and Mrs. John Martin Shea, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Goldstein, Zada Taylor, Mr. David H. Steinmetz, and Mrs. Bernard McDonald. Permission courtesy of the Estate of John Altoon and Braunstein/Quay Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Photo by Gene Ogami

Explore the Archive

  • Video: Irving Blum and Billy Al Bengston on John Altoon

    Video: Irving Blum and Billy Al Bengston speak about the work of John Altoon, 2010-11