FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2024
To Los Angeles with Love: A new solo exhibition of works by the late Dorothy Rice debuts at 7811 Gallery in Los Angeles
An exhibition exploring the artist and model’s decades-long explorations of the human experience
The Hammock, 1988-1990, silkscreen on paper, 22 x 30 in
Los Angeles, CA – 7811 Gallery presents To Los Angeles with Love, a new solo exhibition of works from the late artist Dorothy Rice. The exhibition is on view March 6 – May 1, 2025, with an opening reception on Thursday, March 6, 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
Rice was a multi-talented painter, sculptor, model and actor, who had an illustrious career as a top fashion model in the 1940s and 50s, before becoming an exhibiting artist and exploring, throughout the rest of her life and through several different mediums, the breadth and vibrancy of the human experience.
To Los Angeles with Love reflects Rice’s decades-long explorations of community, beauty and place. The exhibition stands as a timely celebration of California, specifically Los Angeles, which she called home for over 50 years. It features oil paintings, silkscreens and watercolors depicting California from the 1970s through the 90s, including iconic landmarks, tranquil natural landscapes, and scenes evocative of a bygone yet recognizable Los Angeles ethos. Though she was born and raised in New York, Rice’s later life as a renowned model married to a Hollywood producer embodied a Los Angeles fantasy which is palpable in her dreamlike paintings. Rice brought what Ray Bradbury—author, native Angeleno, and collector of Rice’s work—described as “fresh eyes and her own palette” to everything from city life to coastal landscapes.
The exhibition also features selections that reflect the international scope of Rice’s work. New York, Israel, Japan, and Mexico all make an appearance, revealing not only Rice’s cosmopolitan life but her profound interest in depicting shared human experiences across cultures and time.
The Hills of Beverly, 1994-1997, watercolor, 30 x 22 in
Rice created art her entire life, being recognized first by the Art Students League in New York, who invited her to join at the age of 14. During that time, she was “discovered” at the legendary nightclub El Morocco in Manhattan by Vogue photographer John Rawlings, which quickly led to her notable modeling career, rising to widespread acclaim as the face of the culture-defining “New Look” collection from Christian Dior and working with top fashion photographers for years afterward.
She returned to art-making in her 40s, a remarkable shift especially as a woman during the time period. When she transitioned from full-time modeling to painting, she said she was happy to turn the focus away from herself to the world around her. Her paintings allow us to see the world through the eyes of someone who was once a muse, demonstrating an intimate and natural sense of beauty that starkly contrasts with the beauty standards of the fashion industry.
Jonathan Kirsch of The Los Angeles Times wrote that Rice “captured a softer and more romantic aspect of our city than we are accustomed to seeing. There’s an exuberance, almost an innocence to her conception of the cityscape – she has an eye for color and movement and a taste for the quaint.” Army Archerd of Daily Variety wrote: “Beverly Hills never looked lovelier than in Dorothy Rice’s latest [work].”
Dorothy Rice, ca. 1950s. Photo: Milton Greene
Exhibition Details
On view: March 6 – May 1, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 6, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
7811 Gallery
7811 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Gallery Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 12 – 5pm and by appointment.
About Dorothy Rice
Dorothy Rice (1924 – 2023) was a multi-talented painter, sculptor, model and actor.
Rice produced a prolific body of artwork throughout her life, including oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, silk screens and sculptures. Her artistic prowess was first recognized by the Art Students League in New York, who invited her to join at the age of 14. In 1975, Rice held her first solo exhibition Serenata Mexicana at the renowned Southwest Museum. Many of her contemporary critics and publications noted her impressive versatility, including Architectural Digest which dedicated a large spread to her watercolor paintings of New York City.
Rice’s work was also favored internationally: she was the first American woman commissioned to create a mural in Guadalajara, Mexico, she was commissioned by the King of Morocco for a series of paintings and was hosted by the Mayor of Jerusalem while completing her Israel collection. Rice’s work has been exhibited in galleries, embassies and museums worldwide, and is held in several public and private collections, including by notable figures like Barbara Walters, Gore Vidal and Ray Bradbury.
Rice’s artistic perspective was informed by her illustrious modeling and acting career, in which she worked with iconic creatives and traveled to regions that inspired her paintings. Rice first rose to widespread acclaim modeling for Christian Dior as the face of the culture-defining “New Look” collection. She went on to work with the top high art fashion photographers and designers of the era, appeared in over 100 plays, and starred in several prominent television shows, including the Emmy Award-winning Fear on Trial, produced by her husband, the late Stanley Chase.
“I am searching for whatever is positive and reinforcing for the human spirit. I value the individual and appreciate the beauty human beings are able to give to each other.” – Dorothy Rice
Website: https://www.dorothyriceart.com
Instagram: @dorothyricearchive
About 7811 Gallery
7811 Gallery is proud to feature artists based in Southern California. We put an emphasis on bringing to light emerging artists and artists with ties to Hollywood stories. We believe in fostering creativity, community and connection with ourselves, others and the earth. We enjoy hosting community events and allowing art-lovers, collectors and artists to benefit from one another.
Website: https://www.7811gallery.com
Instagram: @7811gallery