Matt Johnson’s Giant Shell Swan at Santa Monica Airport Park

SANTA MONICA, CA - The Ranch and Art Production Fund  are delighted to announce the extension of Matt Johnson's captivating sculpture, Giant Shell Swan, 2023 after a successful presentation at the 2024 Frieze Los Angeles art fair, the artwork will remain on view through April 7, 2024.

Originally featured as part of the on-site public art program Set Seen, curated by Art Production Fund during Frieze Los Angeles 2024, Giant Shell Swan has garnered widespread acclaim for its profound exploration of constructed environments and our perception of reality. The eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture, depicting a classical swan made out of seashells, captivates audiences with its fusion of natural elements and artistic interpretation.

Johnson's creation, made possible with support from The Ranch, Montauk, NY, transcends mere artistic expression. It serves as a poignant symbol of wisdom, grace, fidelity, and strength. The swan's presence, a recurring motif in various cultures, encapsulates the fragility of life and the enigma of death, inviting viewers to contemplate the profound mysteries of existence.

In partnership with the City of Santa Monica, the decision to extend this project reflects the shared commitment to enriching public spaces with thought-provoking art and fostering cultural dialogue within the community.

Matt Johnson, born in New York, NY, and based in Malibu, CA, is renowned for his multidisciplinary approach that delves into the intersections of science, mathematics, religion, art, and architecture. His work embodies a harmonious blend of the modern and the timeless, infused with instinctive humor and an appreciation for art history.

Visitors to Santa Monica Airport Park will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the poetic dimensions of Giant Shell Swan and engage with Johnson's profound exploration of human existence. The extended exhibition offers an invitation to all to experience the transformative power of art and reflect on the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

THE RANCH located in Montauk, is not your typical art gallery. Founded by Max Levai, former president of Marlborough Gallery, this unique exhibition venue sits on a working horse farm, combining the worlds of art and agriculture. The property spans 26 acres and features two barns—one converted into an exhibition space and the other serving as a stable for competitive cutting horses. Levai envisions The Ranch as a flexible space for a diverse range of arts, embracing its unconventional setting.

Learn more here: https://theranch.art/exhibitions/matt-johnson-frieze/works/

MATT JOHNSON b. 1978, New York, NY, based in Malibu, CA, received his BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD, and his MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles, CA. Johnson completed a residency at Fondazione Antonio Ratti, Como, Italy in 2002. His work has been celebrated in recent group exhibitions such as The Artist is Present, curated by Maurizio Cattelan, Yuz Museum, Shanghai, China (2018); 99 Cents or Less, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit, MI (2017); Wanderlust, High Line Art, New York, NY (2016); Funny, FLAG Art Foundation, New York, NY(2012); Lifelike, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN; traveled to New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LA; Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, CA; Blanton Museum of Art, University of Texas, Austin, TX (2012); 11th Triennale Kleinplastik, Fellbach, Germany (2010); and Second Nature, Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA (2009); among many others. His works are held in public collections worldwide, including the Astrup Fearnley Museet, Oslo, Norway; Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway; Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA; Pérez Art Museum, Miami, FL; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY.

ART PRODUCTION FUND is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to commissioning and producing ambitious public art projects, reaching new audiences, and expanding awareness through contemporary art. Art Production Fund (APF) acts as a producer, providing guidance, resources, and support to artists for complex projects. Founded in 2000 by Doreen Remen and Yvonne Force Villareal, APF produces bold commissions and site-specific projects nationwide. It operates on a modest scale, responding quickly to opportunities and commissioning risk-taking projects in public art. Through strategic partnerships, APF expands its capacity and challenges artists to push beyond their usual practice, collaborating with private and non-profit institutions to enhance the realization of elaborate public art projects.