LAADI Holds Inaugural Annual Gathering at LACMA, Previewing Five Asian and Asian Diasporic Exhibitions
In May, the inaugural gathering of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Asian & Asian Diaspora Initiative (LAADI) took place, bringing together artists, curators, and collectors for two days filled with discussions and tours. A curatorial forum showcased five upcoming exhibitions, including a collective display of Korean diasporic artists and the first solo exhibition in the U.S. of South Asian artist Bharti Kher. Attendees explored the David Geffen Galleries to understand the museum's mission. Featured were two LAADI-supported commissions: Lu Yang's video piece DOKU: Yama Māyā (2026) and Stephanie Shih's photographic work 梅國 (2025–26). The weekend also included studio visits led by Kevin Kwan, highlighting artists such as Christina Kim and Kelly Akashi, and wrapped up with a batik workshop.
Key facts
- LAADI held its inaugural annual gathering in Los Angeles in May.
- The two-day event included conversations, gallery tours, studio visits, and shared meals.
- A curatorial forum at LACMA highlighted five upcoming exhibitions on Asian and Asian diasporic art.
- The exhibitions include a landmark group show of major Korean diasporic artists, the first U.S. solo exhibition of Bharti Kher, and a survey of Asian American modernism.
- Participants toured the David Geffen Galleries with Clarissa Esguerra and Susie Ferrell.
- LAADI supporters contributed two commissions to the inaugural installation: Lu Yang's DOKU: Yama Māyā (2026) and Stephanie Shih's 梅國 (Still life with chamoy and Dirty T Tamarindo) (2025–26).
- Studio visits were led by Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan and included Christina Kim's dosa, Kelly Akashi, Ben Tong, and Adam de Boer.
- Kelly Akashi relocated her studio after the 2025 Altadena fires.
- Adam de Boer learned traditional batik techniques with artists in Yogyakarta, and the visit concluded with a batik workshop.
Entities
Artists
- Bharti Kher
- Lu Yang
- Stephanie Shih
- Kevin Kwan
- Christina Kim
- Kelly Akashi
- Ben Tong
- Adam de Boer
- Clarissa Esguerra
- Susie Ferrell
Institutions
- LACMA
- Asian & Asian Diaspora Initiative
- LAADI
- David Geffen Galleries
- Wynn Resorts
- dosa
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Canada
- Yogyakarta
- Indonesia
- Altadena
- Southern California
- Korea