West LA Times

The City of Santa Monica’s Art Bank has acquired a work by Gary Tyler, the recipient of this year’s Frieze Los Angeles Impact Prize. Tyler, an LA resident, was chosen by a jury comprising industry professionals Christine Messineo, Amanda Sroka, and Laurie Yehia. Yehia expressed her enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “I am thrilled that we will be adding Gary Tyler’s important artwork to the City’s Art Bank. The jurors were drawn to the work’s strength and clarity of vision, born of Tyler’s personal transformation story.”

Gary Tyler's piece, titled In Memoriam of an Ashanti Warrior, was selected for its powerful imagery and message. The artwork, characterized by colorful and graphic quilted imagery, reflects themes of empowerment and hope within the context of incarceration. Yehia highlighted the significance of Tyler's work in addressing the inequities of the US carceral system and praised its contribution to Santa Monica's vibrant arts and culture scene.

Tyler, who spent 42 years in prison after being wrongfully sentenced to death at the age of 17, uses traditional fabric quilting techniques in his art. His experience in a prison hospice for terminally ill inmates inspired his work, which often portrays individuals from the prison environment to shed light on the complexities of incarceration.

As the winner of the 2024 Frieze Los Angeles Impact Prize, Tyler is showcasing his work at the fair and receiving a $25,000 prize. The annual partnership between Frieze and Santa Monica aims to expand the city's public Art Bank collection by featuring artists based in Southern California, such as Tyler.

The acquisition of Gary Tyler's artwork by the Santa Monica Art Bank not only enriches the city's cultural landscape but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of art in addressing social issues and advocating for change.