Los Angeles Art Scene: Holiday Gallery reception in Santa Monica

Last Saturday I was invited to attend a gallery opening in Santa Monica at a collection of galleries called Bergamot Station. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had never been to this gallery before, but when I arrived at the event the parking lot was full and the galleries were crowded with people having a great time shopping for art from the amazing artists that were exhibiting. First I headed over to the Schomburg Gallery where I was invited to a holiday reception for the new exhibition by the artist Cindy Ingrahm Keefer. The small gallery is located at the top of a tiny staircase and overlooks the street. A combination of 3D sculptures and paintings decorated the room. The brightly colored abstract works brightened up the space and the intricate detail of the landscapes was captivating. Each piece had a story behind it and many of the works were inspired by the artist’s travels around the world. Any piece from this collection would brighten up a space and I suspect success from this showing.

I interviewed the artist and she explained to me her inspiration for the blue and green abstract; it represents the view she had while flying over the ocean on her way back from Costa Rica.

She painted the picture of Sacre Couer in Paris and said she loved playing with the color scheme.

This picture, a big hit with crowd, depicts a group of Brahminas she observed while in Costa Rica. Many people commented on the interesting personalities in their faces.

I loved the quality of light in this painting and the clouds are beautiful. The luminescence really make the viewer feel like they’re there.

These were some of my favorite works. I love the bright colors and bold lines and shapes. The artist explained that she was using a drip technique to create the movement in the painting. I think any of these pieces would serve as a great centerpiece in a modern decorating scheme.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these works you can contact he gallery at susan@schomburggallery.com.

After I had finished looking upstairs I wandered downstairs through some of the other galleries. I was impressed with the variety of work that I saw. There was everything from photography to surrealism and even some interactive art. I really enjoyed the local artists who showcased their California inspired work.

Venice is well known as an art hub here in Los Angeles and there were many interesting pieces from Venice artists throughout the display. I noticed that many artists focused on sunsets or sunrises and also enjoyed the miniatures that the artists featured.

I loved this exhibit by Artist Holly Boruck. Her surrealist-inspired works were a refreshing break from many of the dark modernist styles I saw. Her collection seemed to tell a story and I could tell that each piece had a message behind it. 

Next I was invited to try out this psychedelic looking structure. The artist Matt Elson explained that he creates these infinity boxes and each one has a different purpose. This particular one used reflections to layer each of the viewer’s faces over each other. I really enjoyed this interesting interactive art. This is just one example of a larger trend that is happening in the art world today with a push by artists to involve the viewer in their art. I think we will see continue to see more of this type of art as we enter 2016.

Another interesting exhibit I liked was the photography collection. There were many interesting photographs that had been digitally enhanced. I loved the nod to pop art with black and neon pink portrait of Marilyn Monroe. There were also several photographs focused on more modern trends such as the screenshot of this Instagram post with comments. I loved the commentary on our digital world.

I would definitely recommend Bergamot station for anyone who is looking for quality local Los Angles art.