Los Angeles-based painter Lauren Quin has joined Pace Gallery, following the closure of her previous gallery Blum & Poe earlier this summer. Her first exhibition at Pace's Los Angeles space is scheduled for 2026, and her work will also appear in the gallery's booth at Frieze Seoul next month. Quin, known for densely layered abstractions, has been on a rapid ascent since earning her MFA from the Yale School of Art in 2019, with her paintings held by major institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the Walker Art Center, and the Hirshhorn Museum. Pace founder Arne Glimcher, a longtime supporter, gave Quin a solo show at Pace-affiliated 125 Newbury in 2024, which she credits as a turning point in her practice.
This move matters because it signals Pace Gallery's continued investment in emerging, critically acclaimed artists and underscores the shifting dynamics of the Los Angeles art scene, especially after the closure of a prominent local gallery. Quin's market history, including fluctuating auction results for her painting 'Ulter Bearing'—from a failed sale at Sotheby's Hong Kong to a high of $178,000 and a recent low of $22,000—highlights the volatility faced by young artists even as they gain institutional recognition. Her joining Pace, one of the world's top galleries, could stabilize and elevate her market, making this a key story for collectors and observers of contemporary art market trends.