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| Photo: Carly Valentine |
When did you first realize your passion for the arts?
I fell in love with drawing when playing Exquisite Corpse (a
Surrealist parlor game) with my friends. At age 14, I created and illustrated
my first of many zines. In college, I studied art history in London, which
really deepened my love for art.
What was the initial seed that got you started with
La Matadora Gallery?
La Matadora is an offshoot of Candelabra, a gallery I had in Tucson,
AZ for 3 years prior. I wanted to create an alternative space that combined my
passions for art & performance.
Does La Matadora align with or differ from what you
originally envisioned it to be?
At only 333.33 square feet, I initially thought La Matadora would be
somewhat limited in scope, but I'm amazed at how much it packs a punch! I've
been able to host painting classes, art talks, have bands play, and do way more
than I imagined.
Do you find that you have the opportunity to express
your own voice through this line of work?
Putting together art shows is an
art form in itself, and I always like to add a little something-something to
give it an edge. For example, as homage to Valentine's Day as well as Flu
Season, I plan to set up a Germ-Free Kissing Booth. It will be interactive so
whoever wants to take part must wear a hygienic mask & use anti-bacterial
wipes (provided at the booth).
What do you find most rewarding about running La
Matadora?
I love meeting people from all over the world, and being part of the
Art Queen complex. The gallery is surrounded by sweet neighbors such as The
Beauty Bubble, the World Famous Crochet Museum, Space Cowboy, etc. in the heart
of downtown Joshua Tree. I also feel lucky to work with Wendy Gadzuk, an
incredible artist, who takes over the gallery every third month so I can focus on
my own art.
What are some of the challenges that you face?
I'm not formally trained in the art
of running a gallery, or any business for that matter, so I'm pretty
nontraditional & idiosyncratic in my style. I'm still learning as I go
along... and I'm in my 6th year! Maybe I could be called an Outsider Gallerist
(like an Outsider Artist who never went to art school).
Are there certain qualities that you look for in
artists in deciding whether they will be pleasant to work with? And on the
contrary, any habits of artists that deem them undesirable to work with?
I seem to gravitate towards art that is
somewhat edgy but with a sense of humor, so working with those artists can be
more fun. Mutual respect and appreciation is important; in a sense, we're both
doing each other a favor.
Do you have any specific do’s and don’ts for artists
looking to submit their work to you?
I suggest checking out the gallery
first and attend a few art parties, if you can. If you like the vibe, then
email me some images of your art and info about yourself. Visiting me at
gallery is fine too, but it's not always the best time to share your work.
Do you have any plans for La Matadora beyond what it
is today?
I'd love to maximize the space
outside the gallery and install arty vending machines, or something weird like
that. I'm inspired by the Glass Outhouse Gallery and how they actually have a glass
outhouse. In a similar vein, I have The Loovre, a bathroom gallery full of
thrift store art (collected by Curated Mayhem). I hope for more collaboration
like that in the future.
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