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.

Untitled photograph from the series Stucco

Untitled, from the series Stucco

Untitled photograph, from the series Stucco, 1973–76, Judy Fiskin. Gelatin silver print. 2 13/16 x 1 15/16 in. © Judy Fiskin

On View at the Getty Center: In Focus Los Angeles 1945-1980

This series from Judy Fiskin’s first body of work exhibit characteristics that would remain constant throughout her engagement with the medium. Contained in custom-made frames, the images are delineated from the rest of the photographic sheet by the black edges of the negative. Although the small scale encourages close viewing, Fiskin’s propensity to backlight her subjects makes it difficult to read the details of these modest examples of vernacular architecture found in Westside neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Viewers may be inclined to squint against the harsh light of Southern California that she makes so palpable. After completing graduate studies in art history at UCLA, Fiskin joined the faculty of the California Institute of Arts in 1977.

Note: image is shown here at close to actual size.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Untitled, from the series Stucco, Judy Fiskin

    Untitled photograph, from the series Stucco, 1973–76, Judy Fiskin. Gelatin silver print. 2 x 2 13/16 in. © Judy Fiskin

  • Untitled, from series Stucco, Judy Fiskin

    Untitled photograph, from the series Stucco, 1973–76, Judy Fiskin. Gelatin silver print. 1 15/16 x 2 13/16 in. © Judy Fiskin