Four Los Angeles-based artists—Kelly Akashi, Christina Quarles, Adam Ross, and Kathryn Andrews—are navigating the long-term recovery process one year after devastating wildfires destroyed their homes, studios, and archives. Despite significant losses, including Adam Ross’s archive of 5,000 drawings, the artists have demonstrated remarkable resilience by securing temporary workspaces and continuing to produce new work for major events like Frieze Los Angeles and the Whitney Biennial.
The situation highlights the precarious nature of artist livelihoods in the face of climate change and the systemic failures of the insurance industry. Many artists find themselves severely underinsured or trapped in legal battles with utility companies, illustrating a growing need for specialized art insurance and better institutional support for creators displaced by environmental disasters.