Luis Flores’s largely autobiographical work functions as an account of emotions and experiences accumulated as a young man within a toxic masculine culture. Transformational events, such as getting married and becoming a father, have profoundly affected Flores, motivating him to view the world differently. In this exhibition, Flores uses crocheted and bronzed sculptures to create a Monster Rally setup as a metaphor for parental love. The artist depicts a couple holding steady the ramp on which a small Monster Truck glides safely while a second truck triumphantly breaks through barriers. Because of You, In Spite of You depicts a transitional moment for the artist, keen to trade a painful past for an optimistic and promising future for the benefit of his children.

This exhibition is supported in part by the Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts. Additional support provided by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.

Read an interview between Flores and upper-level Craft Contemporary members here.

Image: Luis Flores, Monster Truck, 2022. Yarn, bronze, ABS, EPS. © Luis Flores 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Matthew Brown. Photo: Ed Mumford.