‘John Knuth: The Hot Garden’ at Hollis Taggart Downtown (@hollistaggartdowntown) is a deeply personal and transformative solo exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist John Knuth (@knuthstudio). This show marks his first major body of work following the destruction of his home and archive in the January 2025 Eaton Fire. Through his signature “fly paintings”—created by feeding over a million flies a mixture of acrylic paint and sugar water—Knuth explores themes of regeneration, beauty from chaos, and environmental fragility.

The exhibition includes a live sculptural installation in which flies will create new paintings in-gallery, and “The Sculpture Garden,” composed of remnants and replicas of fire-damaged works by both Knuth and other artists. ‘The Hot Garden’ becomes a poignant meditation on personal loss, ecological destruction, and the enduring power of creative renewal.

On view through August 16, 2025

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