Mysterious Artist L, Known for Spiritual Sculptures, Dies at 41 or 42

The Los Angeles-based artist's work aimed to help viewers reach higher states of being.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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L, an artist whose sculptures and paintings imbued galleries and museums across the US with spiritual potential, has died. The Los Angeles-based artist would have been either 41 or 42. L created sculptures consisting of objects suspended in mineral oil, which they described as 'spells' meant to help viewers achieve enlightenment. Their work was exhibited at institutions ranging from Documenta to the Getty Center.

Why it matters

L's mysterious and spiritually-charged artworks gained a devoted following, but also some criticism, as the artist sought to use their practice as a means of helping others achieve higher states of consciousness and even enlightenment. Their passing marks the end of a unique artistic voice that challenged traditional boundaries between art, spirituality, and the viewer's experience.

The details

L, whose birth name was Jason Metcalf, was born in 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah to a Mormon family. They were a triplet, with a brother who 'visited Earth for one month before transitioning to aetherial realms.' L was described as neurodivergent due to birth complications. After attending the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Brigham Young University, L's career took off in the 2010s, with exhibitions at institutions like Documenta, the Getty Center, and galleries such as Marlborough, 56 Henry, and Martos Gallery. Their sculptures, which contained suspended objects in mineral oil, were meant to act as 'spells' to help viewers reach higher states of being.

  • L was born in 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • In 2013, L had a show at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.
  • In 2015, L became the first artist to show at the LA alternative space JOAN.
  • In 2022, L exhibited work at Documenta 15 in Kassel, Germany.

The players

L

An artist whose sculptures and paintings imbued galleries and museums across the US with spiritual potential. L, whose birth name was Jason Metcalf, was born in 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah to a Mormon family and was a triplet.

Stefan Simchowitz

A controversial collector who operated a Los Angeles shop where L exhibited their art.

Atis Rezistans

A Haiti-based group also known as Ghetto Biennale, which invited L to exhibit work at Documenta 15 in 2022.

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The takeaway

L's passing marks the end of a unique artistic voice that challenged traditional boundaries between art, spirituality, and the viewer's experience. Their mysterious and spiritually-charged artworks gained a devoted following, but also some criticism, as the artist sought to use their practice as a means of helping others achieve higher states of consciousness and even enlightenment.