Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Hammer Museum Director Zoë Ryan, Honoree Lauren Halsey, and Thelma Golden at the 20th annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
IN LOS ANGELES, artist Lauren Halsey (b. 1987) was honored recently at the Hammer Museum’s Gala in the Garden, along with activist and actor Jane Fonda. Both were recognized “for their profound contributions to society.”
In her remarks at the gala, Hammer Museum Director Zoë Ryan said: “The Hammer Museum is, and always will be, a gathering place for everyone in our community… At times like these, our cultural institutions are even more essential to amplifying the voices of artists and thought leaders who have the power to change perspectives on the world around us.”
Actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen paid tribute to Fonda, their friend, citing her commitment to the arts, the environment, and social justice activism. Thelma Golden of the Studio Museum in Harlem honored Halsey, an alum of the artist-in-residence program at the Studio Museum.
Halsey, who lives and works in Los Angeles, has centered her practice around art, architecture, and community engagement. Her sculptural works and installations pay homage to the rich history, culture, and people of South Central Los Angeles, where her family has lived for generations. Halsey earned an MFA from Yale University (2014) and has developed an impressive career in the subsequent decade, charting her own path and landing choice opportunities along the way. She was chosen for the Studio Museum’s renowned residency program (2014-15) and received the Seattle Art Museum’s Gwendolyn Knight | Jacob Lawrence Prize (2021).
Key exhibitions have included “Lauren Halsey: we still here, there” (2018) at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, an immersive, site-specific installation the artist transformed publicly throughout the run of the show. In 2023, Halsey was the first Black artist to present a commissioned work for the roof garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. “Lauren Halsey: emajendat” (Oct. 11, 2024-Feb. 23, 2025) at Serpentine Galleries in London was the artist’s first solo exhibition in the UK.
Halsey, who is represented by David Kordansky and Gagosian galleries, has long-imagined a monument to her community. A forthcoming sculpture park, “sister dreamer, lauren halsey’s architectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles,” fully realizes her vision. Slated to open from March 2026 to November 2027, the project is presented by Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND), co-produced and curated by Christine Y. Kim, and will be free to the public.
“At times like these, our cultural institutions are even more essential to amplifying the voices of artists and thought leaders who have the power to change perspectives on the world around us.” — Zoë Ryan
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Honorees Lauren Halsey and Jane Fonda at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Alongside her artistic practice, Halsey established Summaeverythang Community Center in 2019. The organization is rooted in Black and Brown empowerment and a do-for-self mission in the spirit of the Black Panther Party. In the wake of the pandemic, over the past five years, Summaeverythang has delivered free organic produce from Southern California farms to households in Watts, Compton, and South Central Los Angeles.
The Hammer Museum has paid tribute previously to Halsey. She was the 2018 recipient of the $100,000 Mohn Prize, selected among the 32 artists invited to participate in the museum’s Made in L.A. biennial that year. Endowed by Jarl and Pamela Mohn, the prize recognizes a biennial participant for artistic excellence.
When Halsey was first announced as a gala honoree, Ryan described her as “one of the most dynamic artists working today.”
The 20th annual Gala in the Garden was held at the Hammer Museum at UCLA on May 17. Savannah James, April McDaniel, the Mohns, and Kathleen and Chip Rosenbloom served as co-chairs. Attendees included Hammer Museum curator Erin Christovale; artists Mark Bradford, Diedrick Brackens, Kenturah Davis, Zanele Muholi, and Jonas Wood; collector Virginia Joy Simmons; and LeBron James, Will Farrell, Dustin Hoffman, Stormzy, and Usher. The 2025 gala raised $2.4 million to support exhibitions and programming at the Hammer Museum, where admission is free for everyone.
“Two critical things that are needed in today’s dysfunctional, anti-nature, anti-democratic world are art and activism… It’s what I feel the Hammer represents,” Fonda said when she took the stage. “Art can penetrate our defenses so that we can see and hear what we have been afraid of seeing and hearing. Activism can offer ways to turn us from preoccupation with ourselves into the healing action of service… So let’s all be activists in whatever ways we can and let’s all be sure that includes defending the arts.” CT
FIND MORE about Lauren Halsey on the artist’s website and Jane Fonda on Instagram
ON VIEW “Noah Davis” is the lead exhibition currently on view at the Hammer Museum at UCLA in Los Angeles, Calif., from June 8-Aug. 1, 2025
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Honoree Lauren Halsey, left, takes the stage after Thelma Golden introduces the artist at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Honoree Lauren Halsey speaks onstage at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Honorees Lauren Halsey and Jane Fonda, with Hammer Museum Director Zoë Ryan, who has led the museum since January, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Stormzy, Co-Chairs April McDaniel and Savannah James, and LeBron James, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen speak onstage at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Honoree Jane Fonda speaks onstage at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Usher, Honoree Lauren Halsey, and Jennifer Goicoechea Raymond, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Allan DiCastro and artist Mark Bradford, Co-Founders of Art + Practice, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Christine Y. Kim, Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND), and Co-Chair Jarl Mohn at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Hammer Museum Director Zoë Ryan and artist Diedrick Brackens at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Honoree Lauren Halsey, Monique McWilliams, and Hammer Museum Curator Erin Christovale at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, artist Alake Shilling and Kidogo Kennedy, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Artist Harmonia Rosales at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Larry Jackson and Stephanie Suganami at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Collectors Ric Whitney and Tina Perry at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Table settings and gala program at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Artist Shaniqwa Jarvis at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: In foreground, from left, Co-Chair April McDaniel and Stormzy. In background, On left, artist Kenturah Davis (wearing glasses); On right, artist Harmonia Rosales (wearing yellow), Co-Chair Savannah James, and LeBron James at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Zora Arceneaux and artist Edgar Arceneaux at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Griff performs at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, artists Alex Hedison and Mark Bradford, and Thelma Golden, Studio Museum in Harlem, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Co-Chairs April McDaniel and Savannah James at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Collector Virginia Joy Simmons and Hammer Museum Director Zoë Ryan at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Artist Umar Rashid at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Adenrele Sonariwo, founder of Rele Art Gallery, Los Angeles and Lagos, Nigeria, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Viva Vadim, Honoree Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Chef Alice Waters and Ron Finley, urban gardener, at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: Artist Zanele Muholi at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Co-Chair April McDaniel and Hammer Museum Director Zoë Ryan with Stormzy (facing away from camera) at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Honorees Jane Fonda and Lauren Halsey at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, Calif., May 17, 2025: From left, Honoree Lauren Halsey, Thelma Golden, and artist Mark Bradford take a selfie at the 20th Annual Hammer Museum Gala In The Garden at the Hammer Museum. | Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Hammer Museum
BOOKSHELF
“Lauren Halsey: emajendat” was published on the occasion of the artist’s exhibition at Serpentine Galleries in London. “Lauren Halsey: The Roof Garden Commission” documents her rooftop installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work of Lauren Halsey is featured in the exhibition catalogs “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now” and “Made in L.A. 2018.” Also consider, “Lauren Halsey: Mohn Award 2018.”
