This article originally appeared in the Huffington Post.
(Ron English Opening night at Corey Helford. Image courtesy of Brandi Milne).
Saturday, August 27th in DTLA, Corey Helford Gallery celebrates their 10 year anniversary. That’s not only a huge benchmark for any gallery these days, but in Hollywood terms, it’s a record. Over the years, hundreds of artistic careers have debuted, and memorable moments are signficant, whether they be the goth cowgirls at Ron English’s show, or D*Face’s exquisite homage to L.A. in his “Going Nowhere Fast” solo show.
(Art by D*Face. Courtesy of Jaime Rojo)
Here, a mere few of the hundreds of artists, discuss their favorite experiences and comment on what makes Corey Helford a seminal force in the L.A. gallery landscape.
What’s your most memorable Corey Helford experience (or exhibition)…as an artist represented or going to another’s show?
Michael Mararian: Even though I’ve had a few solo shows with them as well group shows, I believe the most stunning achievement on their part was the Bristol England Museum show.
(Bristol Museum Show. L to R: Joshua Petker, Michael Mararian, Natalia Fabia, Shag, Lola Gil, Adam Wallacavage, Sarah Folkman, Buffmonster, Kukula, Sylvia JI, Gary Baseman, David Stoupakis, unidentified, Brandi Milne. Image courtesy of Michael Mararian)
(Mararian continued) And I’m sure I’m not the only one who will say that. Being able to travel out there and spend the weekend getting to know – and in most cases, meet – for the first time, so many artists that I’ve only known virtually through social media was pretty thrilling.
(Ray Caesar’s work, “Keepsake.” Courtesy of Corey Helford Gallery)
Ray Caesar: Jan (Corey) and Bruce (Helford) put a lot of effort into the shows I have had at the gallery, such arranging Dante Nuno to create a cake of one of my pieces or surprising me with a quintet of musicians playing violins and cellos at an opening that brought me to tears.
Travis Lampe: By far the most memorable exhibition for me was the 5th anniversary show. I wasn’t in the show, but I came out for an artist party and got to hang out with a bunch of swell artists. Also, I met Camille Rose Garcia, which was pretty much the best thing ever!
(Brandi Milne’s “Candy is Forever,” courtesy of Corey Helford Gallery)
Brandi Milne: My solo show “Before I Hide Away” in 2012, (in the original Culver City space) is really a special memory for me. Opening night was a crazy whirlwind – such amazing positivity about the work and such support from everyone who came, I was absolutely beaming. After the gallery had closed for the night, Jan (Corey) and I stood up on the loft and looked out over the show (complete with an installation of a night sky with twinkle lights that hung on the walls above the exhibition). Reflecting at that moment on all the hard work, and memorable moments leading up to that point in time, to be there then – that was a dream realized – it filled me with so much gratitude and joy and I will keep that with me forever.
(Marion Peck’s “La La La.” On display as of August 27th. Image courtesy of the gallery.)
Marion Peck: One of the most memorable shows from the old space was Gary Baseman’s “La Noche de la Fusion” show in 2009. In the new space, I really liked Ron English’s show. He was able to fill the vast and varied spaces of the gallery with an amazing variety of imaginative art.
Do you have a favorite Corey Helford artist?
Wallacavage: Yes I do, but can’t pick a favorite. I have too many friends there.
(Chris Anthony’s “Belinda of the 99,” courtesy of Corey Helford Gallery)
Mararian: I have always liked Chris Anthony’s work right from the beginning mostly because of his technique and eye for composition but also because it’s photography-based which the gallery doesn’t have many artists doing that-so I really appreciate that. A close second is Victor Castillo’s work – he is a newer addition with them but I really like his hallucinatory yet whimsical vision. Honestly there so many outstanding artists I could keep going.
Peck: I’m really looking forward to the Natalia Fabia/Brandi Milne/Liz McGrath show coming up. Those are three powerfully talented ladies.
(A work from Camille Rose Garcia’s recent show, “Phantasmacabre.” Image courtesy of the gallery)
Lampe: Camille! …If I have to choose.
Milne:: Corey Helford Gallery has housed so many great artists since the beginning and I’m so happy to have shown amongst some of my favorites – Camille Rose Garcia, Natalia Fabia, Sylvia Ji, Luke Chueh, Liz McGrath, Korin Faught to name a few. I look forward to continuing showing with them and more as well as unveiling my next big body of work in the new space next summer.
Why do you think the gallery is a pivotal force in the LA art scene?
Wallacavage: They throw the best parties!!
(Artist Luke Chueh. Image courtesy of Brandi Milne
(Artist Natalia Fabia at Corey Helford’s SCOPE/Miami dinner. Image courtesy of Adam Wallacavage)
Mararian: I think the canon of artists they represent stretches from both ends of the new contemporary art scene spectrum allowing something for all their collectors to enjoy.
(Michael Mararian’s “Magical Meat Ride.” On display starting August 27th. Courtesy Corey Helford Gallery)
Peck: L.A. has really needed a major space to showcase the strange and wonderful brainchild/art movement it gave birth to, (pop surrealism) and Corey Helford Gallery has stepped up to do just that.