The Eaton fire devastated the Altadena community in January, destroying homes and studios of many artists in the area. Kathryn Andrews, who lost her rented home in Pacific Palisades, contributed a piece to a benefit show using ash and soil from her destroyed home. Kenturah Davis, whose family has lived in Altadena since the 1950s, lost her home but her studio survived.
Her father, Keni Arts, began a new series of paintings called “Beauty For Ashes” after seeing the destruction. Davis is returning to materials like weaving and scented incense paper that have taken on new meaning after the fire. Kelly Akashi was living and working in a home once owned by artists Jim Shaw and Marnie Weber.
Artists rebuild from Eaton fire
She lost much of the work for her upcoming show at Lisson Gallery, but several bronze sculptures survived with patinas created by the fire. Christina Quarles and her family lost their home for the second time in nine months.
Four paintings in her backyard studio were damaged by fire debris. She must decide whether to make an insurance claim or see if collectors will value the debris-affected works. Older artists like Paul McCarthy, who lost his Altadena home at age 80, have no interest in rebuilding.
Younger homeowners seem more inclined to rebuild and move forward. The Eaton fire’s impact on the Altadena artist community will be felt for a long time as they grapple with the loss and decide how to rebuild and create art in the wake of this tragedy.
