Gallery 169 to Present ‘Grasses’ by Palisadian Artist

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

An opening reception will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. for Rustic Canyon artist Marta Chaffee—whose new body of work, “Grasses,” will be on display at Gallery 169 in Santa Monica Canyon.

Born and raised in Pasadena, Chaffee earned her bachelor’s degree from Occidental College, as well as an MFA from Otis Art Institute after studying at UCLA and the Art Students League in New York. Her work has been exhibited at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Laguna Art Museum, Santa Barbara Art Museum and Newport Harbor Art Museum.

Chaffee has been creating art about the Southern California landscape for over six decades, having dedicated her life’s work to the California landscape.

Her latest work, “Grasses,” was described as a collection of closely observed drawings that “reflect both the majesty, resilience and the often-overlooked complexity of …  humble plants.”

“In ‘Grasses,’ she explores the subtle beauty and complexity of humble yet pervasive plant life through soft pencil tones and erased shapes,” according to a statement about the show. “Her compositions blur the boundaries between abstraction and representation, offering a meditative reflection on time, light and the changing forms of nature. Her marks—at once precise and gestural—can be read as meditative reflections on time, light and the changing shape of the natural world.”

Chaffee, who is about to turn 90, will also have a solo exhibition in New York this summer.

“Grasses” will be on display through Sunday, April 27. Chaffee will be present on Saturdays from 12 to 3 p.m., and the gallery will be open by appointment.

A portion of proceeds from sales will go toward relief efforts for artists impacted by the recent Los Angeles fires.

Complimentary valet will be available for the March 22 opening reception, which will take place at Gallery 169, located at 169 W. Channel Road. The reception will include art, food and drinks.