Isabelle Frances McGuire Opened Solo Exhibit in Los Angeles
The Chicago-based sculptor launched an interactive show at the Bel Ami gallery featuring a new video game.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Fine Art
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Chicago-based sculptor Isabelle Frances McGuire has opened a new interactive solo exhibition at the Bel Ami gallery in Los Angeles. The show invites visitors to engage with a video game titled Joy's Hands, which the artist co-created with Will Lee.
Why it matters
Through this exhibit, McGuire examines the historical vilification of crones and their relegation to the realm of the diabolic. The work aims to challenge these perceptions by restaging the Salem witch trials of the late 17th century.
The featured video game, Joy's Hands, was officially released in 2026. Players interact with the exhibition by using the software to cast spells and summon demons on a large television screen.
The players
Isabelle Frances McGuire
She is a Chicago-based sculptor known for creating interactive installations that explore historical themes and societal archetypes.
Will Lee
He is a collaborator who co-created the video game Joy's Hands alongside artist Isabelle Frances McGuire.
Bel Ami
This is the Los Angeles-based art gallery currently hosting the interactive solo exhibition.
The details
Visitors at the Los Angeles gallery engage with the display through the interactive game, which serves as a central component of the artist's thematic exploration of historical witch trials. The gallery also showcases a prominent sculpture of a sorceress designed to complement the digital experience.
Timeline
The Salem witch trials occurred during the 17th century.
The video game Joy's Hands was created in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibit reflects a growing trend in the art world where creators use interactive digital media to bridge historical narratives with modern artistic mediums. By integrating video games into a gallery space, the work shifts the audience from passive observers to active participants.
Visitors to the Los Angeles gallery can experience the interactive game firsthand as part of the exhibition's immersive design. The exhibit offers a unique opportunity to engage with thematic sculpture and digital media in a public-facing art space.
The takeaway
This exhibition demonstrates how artists are increasingly utilizing digital gaming technology to explore complex historical subjects in a physical space. Visitors can reflect on how modern interactive tools provide new ways to interact with long-standing cultural narratives.
Further reading
Explore more artistic developments in the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Frieze.
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