François Ghebaly Opened Ann Leda Shapiro Exhibition
The Los Angeles gallery is showcasing recent and historical works by artist Ann Leda Shapiro.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Fine Art
The François Ghebaly gallery in Los Angeles has launched Through the Tunnel, a new exhibition featuring recent works on paper by Ann Leda Shapiro. The collection draws on the artist's six-decade career to explore themes of mortality.
Why it matters
The exhibition highlights the intersection of personal experience and professional practice, as Shapiro integrates her background in Chinese medicine and acupuncture into her visual art.
The exhibition features recent works created in 2026, such as Cellular, alongside earlier pieces like the 1970s painting Tightrope and the 2013 work Birthing Upside Down (Thru).
The players
Ann Leda Shapiro
Born in 1946 in New York City, this artist currently resides on Vashon Island and is a recipient of a MAC Fellowship from the McMillen Foundation.
François Ghebaly
This Los Angeles-based contemporary art gallery is the host of the exhibition Through the Tunnel.
The details
Anchored by the four-part painting Healing Scrolls, the exhibition utilizes tunnel imagery to navigate the artist's past near-death experience. The featured works reflect both a lifetime of artistic production and the artist's specialized knowledge in acupuncture.
Timeline
The exhibition opened in Los Angeles in September 2026.
The artist created the painting Tightrope in the 1970s.
The work Birthing Upside Down (Thru) was completed in 2013.
The work Cellular was produced in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibition underscores the increasing tendency of contemporary galleries to platform artists with long-term, multi-disciplinary careers that bridge fine art and specialized knowledge. By highlighting works from a six-decade span, the gallery positions Shapiro within a broader narrative of legacy artists whose work remains active in the modern market.
Art enthusiasts and collectors in the Los Angeles area can view these recent and historical works in person at the François Ghebaly gallery. The show provides a direct opportunity for the public to engage with the artist's integration of Chinese medicine and visual themes.
The takeaway
The show serves as a case study in how personal trauma can be transmuted into a long-standing artistic practice. Visitors may find unique insights into the healing potential of creative expression across different media.
Further reading
Discover more about local gallery exhibitions on our Fine Art page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
