Liza Lou at L&M Arts

L&M Arts has something rare at their Venice gallery this week. Liza Lou, an extremely nontraditional artist, is showing her solo work in Los Angeles for the first time since 1998.

Lou's one-of-a-kind masterpieces feature glass beads instead of paint, but the technique that once took some getting used to is now being highly praised. The Los Angeles native took to a studio in South Africa where she works with a team of more than 30 artisans. Each individual bead is glued with a set of tweezers until these works become shimmering replicas of suburban kitchens, barbed wire fences and works of life.

Lou's work is life-sized and heavily detailed. Some pieces took nearly five years to complete. She is best known for her reproduction of suburban life in the mid 1990s, with some pieces extending nearly 168 square feet. Her more recent work, which is on display in the Los Angeles installment, is smaller and more elegant.

The exhibit will be up through May 7 at L&M Arts.

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