The Lapis Press

C o-founded by the notable abstract artist Sam Francis, based on his vision of an integrated arts community, The Lapis Press in Culver City has become a cultural haven in Los Angeles. Founded almost 40 years ago with the goal of “producing unusual and timely texts in visually compelling formats,” The Lapis press invites artists to explore the possibilities of their work through printmaking.

Since Sam’s passing in 1994, The Lapis Press continues to honor his legacy with long-term collaborations among artists and printmakers, built on establishing trusted relationships with ongoing discussions of how to create each piece, from its concept to its distribution.

Today, the range of printmaking from The Lapis Press includes digital prints and bronze multiple sculptures from eminent artists such as Ed Ruscha (Making of an Ed Ruscha, GAL CHEWS GUM). The limited editions are hand-signed, numbered and dated. Many of these publications are released in tandem with a gallery exhibition or commissioned by institutions such as Cal Arts. On the horizon are collaborations to make prints from NFTs, as The Lapis Press persists in pushing its boundaries to accommodate and inspire the limitlessness of artistic imagination.

Sotheby’s is proud to partner with The Lapis Press, offering access to its prints directly from the publisher, as well as providing an easy solution to purchase through its online Buy Now marketplace.