Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills has opened an exhibition titled "Frank Gehry" showcasing the architect's lesser-known sculptural works, including fish lamps, a crocodile, snakes, and a stainless steel bear. Curated by Deborah McLeod, a personal friend of Gehry, the show celebrates his non-architectural creations that explore animal forms and light, with pieces like the 7-foot-long "Bear With Us" and fish lamps using LED bulbs. The exhibition serves as a tribute following Gehry's death in 2025 at age 96.
This exhibition matters because it highlights a crucial but often overlooked aspect of Frank Gehry's creative practice—his belief that the fish's "perfect form" directly inspired his iconic architectural masterpieces, starting with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. By presenting his intimate sculptures alongside his monumental buildings, the show reveals the continuity in Gehry's artistic vision and his use of animal forms to infuse architecture with movement and emotion. It also underscores Gagosian's role in preserving and celebrating the legacy of one of the most influential architects of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.