Most people, when they want more space, just rearrange the furniture. Art dealer Matthew Brown? He's moving his entire operation into a 13,000-square-foot former warehouse in Hollywood. Because apparently, that's how you really commit.
Brown, who launched his first gallery at a spry 23, is upsizing his Los Angeles footprint significantly. He's ditching his previous Hollywood digs for a sprawling new spot on Seward Street, roughly a mile away. Think bigger, brighter, and probably a lot less cramped, especially with 6,000 square feet dedicated solely to exhibitions.
Hollywood's New Art Hub
The new gallery isn't exactly a lone wolf in the wilderness. It's nestled in the Hollywood Media District, which, if you're keeping score, is rapidly becoming a serious art neighborhood. We're talking about rubbing shoulders with heavy hitters like Jeffrey Deitch, Karma, and Regen Projects. So, no pressure, Matthew.
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Start Your News DetoxFor the architectural heavy lifting, Brown tapped Markus Dochantschi of StudioMDA — the same mind behind Brown's New York gallery. This marks Dochantschi's first gallery project in the City of Angels, and he's bringing his experience from designing spaces for Marian Goodman and Karma Gallery.
The new space retains some of its industrial charm, boasting original wood bow truss beam ceilings and exposed brick. Because nothing says 'cutting-edge art' quite like a nod to its gritty past. And, critically, it's flooded with natural light, which is probably a relief for anyone who's ever tried to appreciate a painting under harsh fluorescents.
Brown, who comes from a family of respected collectors, is clearly bullish on LA. His roster includes names like Uri Aran and Kenturah Davis, with New York-based artist Carroll Dunham joining the fold in 2025. Clearly, he's not just thinking about next week.
A Bold Bet on the West Coast
The grand opening on May 2 will feature San Francisco-born, LA-based artist Mimi Lauter, marking her first Los Angeles exhibition in eight years. Brown apparently saw her 2018 show and was so smitten he bought a piece himself. Which is one way to show your confidence in an artist, we suppose.
While some galleries, like Sean Kelly and Tanya Bonakdar, have recently packed up their LA outposts, Brown remains steadfast. He acknowledges the ebb and flow but sees Los Angeles as home, a place with long-term potential. Perhaps it's a different perspective when you're truly rooted, rather than just passing through. Either way, he's betting big on the city, and that's a refreshing take in an often-skeptical art world.
