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.

From the Archive

Hard Edge group exhibition

Hard Edge group exhibition with works by Ronald Davis and Judy Chicago at Rolf Nelson Gallery in Los Angeles, May 1964. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Rolf G. Nelson, 2010.M.38.2

In the summer of 1964, the journal Artforum identified the Rolf Nelson Gallery, with the Ferus Gallery, as being the locus of the avant-garde in Los Angeles. This group show, featuring Ronald Davis’s geometric abstractions and the biomorphic paintings done by Judy Chicago (then Judy Gerowitz), typified Nelson’s adventurous mix of local and international artists. The space stood out for its assertive checkerboard floor, and willingness to take a chance on younger artists—Chicago had her first shows with Nelson.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Car Hood

    Car Hood, 1964, Judy Chicago. Sprayed acrylic lacquer on Corvair car hood. 42 15/16 x 49 3/16 x 4 5/16 in. Moderna Museet, Stockholm. Acquired 2007 with means from The Second Museum of our Wishes. © Judy Chicago, 1964. Photo © Donald Woodman

  • Black Tear

    Black Tear, 1969, Ronald Davis. Molded polyester resin and fiberglass. 60 ½ x 136 in. The Robert A. Rowan Collection, Pasadena, California. © Ronald Davis

  • Big Blue Pink from the Flesh Gardens series

    Big Blue Pink from the Flesh Gardens series, 1971, Judy Chicago. Sprayed acrylic lacquer on acrylic. 96 in x 96 in. Tom Jancar Gallery, Los Angeles. © Judy Chicago, 1971. Photo © Donald Woodman

Explore the Archive

  • Video: Judy Chicago

    Video: Judy Chicago speaks about her work, April 2011

  • Video: the postwar L.A. gallery scene

    Video: Making the Scene—find out about the L.A. gallery scene during the postwar years

  • Judy Chicago and Sunset Squares installation

    Judy Gerowitz, also known as Judy Chicago, with her Sunset Squares installation at Rolf Nelson Gallery in Los Angeles, 1966. © 2011 Judy Chicago / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Rolf G. Nelson, 2010.M.38. Image courtesy of Jerry McMillan and Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica. © Jerry McMillan

  • Announcement, George Herms "Nativity '63"

    Announcement for George Herms exhibition Nativity '63 at Rolf Nelson gallery in Los Angeles, 1963. © George Herms. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Michael Asher, 2009.M.30.9

  • Announcement for Judy Chicago exhibition

    Announcement for Judy Chicago exhibition at California State University, Fullerton, October 23– November 25, 1970. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Rolf G. Nelson, 2010.M.38.5. Image courtesy of Jerry McMillan and Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica. © Jerry McMillan.

  • Announcement, Come and See exhibition

    Announcement for the exhibition Come and See at the Rolf Nelson Gallery in Los Angeles, June 14–July 23, 1965. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Rolf G. Nelson, 2010.M.38.1