Rafa Esparza's Adobe Wall Sculpture Featured in LACMA's 50 Works Series Ahead of 2026 Opening
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is highlighting 50 significant artworks over 50 weeks in preparation for the 2026 public debut of the David Geffen Galleries. Among these works is rafa esparza's adobe wall sculpture titled '...we are the mountain,' which references the Mexico-U.S. border. The Los Angeles-based artist, known for performance, installation, and painting, uses adobe—a material taught to him by his father—to evoke themes related to brown-skinned communities and their environments. The piece incorporates chainlink fence and plywood, symbolizing structural and conceptual support, and explores personal and national histories, migration, and Latine resilience. In the new galleries, adjacent works on paper will further emphasize esparza's focus on community and family in Los Angeles.
Key facts
- LACMA is showcasing 50 artworks over 50 weeks leading up to the 2026 opening of the David Geffen Galleries
- rafa esparza's work '...we are the mountain' is an adobe wall sculpture referencing the Mexico-U.S. border
- Esparza uses adobe, a material made of earth, water, and straw, learned from his father who immigrated from Mexico
- The sculpture includes chainlink fence and plywood, serving both structural and conceptual purposes
- The artwork highlights themes of migration, Latine endurance, and community resilience in Los Angeles
Entities
Artists
- rafa esparza
Institutions
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- David Geffen Galleries
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Mexico
- United States