Linda King’s Beverly Hills Debut Resurrects the Ghost of Charles Bukowski

Beverly Hills, California Jun 21, 2026 (Issuewire.com)  - The tempestuous, booze-fueled, and deeply poetic literary romance of the 1970s is staging a high-profile comeback in the heart of Los Angeles.

Linda King, the celebrated sculptor, poet, and definitive great love of literary icon Charles Bukowski, is set to debut her highly anticipated special exhibition, “Linda King — Art, Books & Poetry: A Celebration of the 1970s Literary & Art Revolution.” The exclusive opening reception will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the prestigious BLVK Book Art Gallery, perched on the eighth floor of the Beverly Center.

The event caps off a whirlwind season of Hollywood prestige, following closely on the heels of the Grammys, the Oscars, major premieres at the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the recent LA Fashion Show. This exhibition, however, pivots the city's cultural lens from Hollywood glamour to raw literary history.

At the epicenter of the exhibition is the original Bukowski bronze bust that King sculpted from life, the very piece that catalyzed their legendary, volatile relationship. Photographed for half a century but rarely shown in public, the bust will be displayed alongside King’s sculpted likenesses of a veritable Beat constellation, including Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Jack Hirschman, Jack Micheline, Harold Norse, A. D. Winans, Neeli Cherkovski, and Robinson Jeffers.

In a major milestone for collectors and literary enthusiasts, the exhibition will reunite the iconic bust with the original 2008 paintings from Bukowski Undigested, King’s poetry collection illustrated by Washington, D.C., expressionist painter Matt Sesow, marking the first time the works have shared a room in 17 years. This is a video where Linda King revealed more deeper about Bukowski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfmiBxp1PU

Unlike traditional, sterile museum retrospectives, the opening promises a living, breathing history. King will be in attendance to answer questions alongside a tight-knit circle of family and collaborators who lived the history.

The exhibition itself stems from a 21-year-old family legacy. In 2005, theater director Raymond King Shurtz, who is Linda’s nephew, built a Phoenix stage production around a Sesow painting, ultimately introducing his aunt to the artist. Now, the circle closes in Los Angeles. King’s son, Scott Dylyn Hall, is producing and hosting the evening under King’s Dreams Productions, while Shurtz takes the stage for a live musical performance. Sesow also returns as a guest artist alongside his wife, painter Dana Ellyn, who will debut new work inspired by King’s life and prose.

This isn’t a posthumous, museumed-up Bukowski. Linda lived it. She wrote her side. Raymond brought us together in a Phoenix theatre twenty-one years ago. Now we’re back where it all belongs, Los Angeles”- Matt Sesow

True to Hollywood form, the opening reception will feature a multidisciplinary lineup of live performances and avant-garde style.

The literary portion of the evening features notable live readings. Actress Angela Jones, known for her role in Pulp Fiction, will deliver a live reading of a Linda King poem. She will be followed by Dave Cobert of Sweet Water, who is set to read a Bukowski poem written specifically to Linda, marking the first time the piece will be heard publicly.

The visual energy of the night extends to the runway with two distinct fashion presentations: a 1970s-inspired showcase by JesseJ Collections and a cowboy bikini fashion show. Attendees walking the red carpet are highly encouraged to wear 1970s attire, which will be captured by photographer Maurice Samuels.

The event is sponsored by The Beat Museum and Yahaira Kolb Events, with media coverage provided by the ultimate Red Carpet Cowgirl Jessica Martin of 77:77 Media.

The opening reception for Linda King’s Art, Books & Poetry Exhibition takes place Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at BLVK Book, located on the 8th Floor of the Beverly Center at 8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048. The exhibition will remain on view for approximately one month.

Admission is $20 at the door or in advance via Eventbrite. Tickets, details, and artwork previews are available at [sesow.com/bukweb] and lindakingarts.com. For press inquiries and RSVPs, contact producer Scott Dylyn Hall at scotthallproductions@gmail.com.

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