Alex Gardner's 'Animals' at Perrotin LA Explores Connection Through Faceless Figures

Alex Gardner's first solo show in a decade, 'Animals,' opened at Perrotin in Los Angeles on June 6, 2026, featuring 13 new paintings. The Long Beach-based artist, now a father of two, shifts from existential malaise to themes of interconnectedness and hope. His faceless figures flow into and away from each other against blue and green backdrops, with canvases ranging from 10x14 inches to 4x8 feet. Works like 'Big Toothy Grin' emphasize physical closeness through detailed wrinkles on white shirts, while 'Catapult' explores intimacy and trust with figures grasping feet. 'Headed to the Coffer' shows a figure stepping on heads, blending lightness with disconcerting tension. Gardner plays with race while resisting fixed identity, and the title 'Animals' references both shared humanity and an aggressive, barbaric element. The exhibition runs through July 11, 2026, at Perrotin, 5036 W Pico Blvd.