Two weeks ago the Barker Hangar hosted an art auction for Artworks for the Cure. In reading through the exhibition catalogue of over 150 artists, a very familiar name caught my eye as I was combining through the pages, Gregory Siff. We were first introduced to the Los Angeles street artist in our debut issue California, photographed by Quam Odunsi who works under the moniker Reserve Result. Photographed in Odunsi’s signature Polaroid medium, that single moment marked the beginning of our collaboration with Siff. When Intellectual Property Prints announced that they were creating screen prints for the Venice Family Clinic, Siff was among their hand selected roster of artists. In our debut Vanguard feature, Rainer Hosch shared his photograph of Gregory wearing paint stained jeans and toasting the camera with a beer bottle. As a participating gallery in the Artworks for the Cure auction, Los Angeles based street art gallery LAB ART presented an extensive line up of influential, contemporary artists that are changing the cultural landscape. We spoke with curator Iskander Lemseffer about the history that street art is creating in Los Angeles and LAB ART’s role in making street artists a part of collections.
Installation Magazine: What is your background in the arts?
Iskander Lemseffer: I have been a collector since I was a child. My parents were collectors so I grew up with it was always everywhere I looked, always around me.
What inspired the founding of LAB ART?
I used to go to various galleries and they would always have one or two street artists at the most, nobody was doing only street art, especially not at this sale. Street art needs its place inert history and LAB ART does just that.
What artists were among the first to be represented by your gallery?
Gregory Siff, Thank You X, Desire obtain cherish, mar, Louis xxx, alec monopoly and AJL.
Installation has collaborated with Gregory Siff in previous issues and I am curious to learn how you began working together. How has your relationship evolved? In what ways do you feel he has matured as an artist?
Gregory Siff and I met in 2010 when he was doing the mural for the standard hotel in downtown Los Angeles. I wasn’t even thinking of opening LAB ART yet but I was so intrigued by his work and we stayed in contact. He was actually one of the first people to come into the space to come and check it out before construction began. He was also the first artist to bring in his work. Now, not only do we have a mutually beneficial business relationship, but we are great friends. He has not only improved his craft and has never been afraid to experiment with new materials, with new looks, with a new identity. I also admire the fact that he is always involved in any charity possible and he’s always available.
In what ways do you feel that the city of Los Angeles inspires the visual language of street art?
The city of LA is the canvas for street art. Street art was born in Los Angeles as graffiti was born in New York. Street art beautifies the city and it is continuously evolving.
What stylistic elements are most intriguing to you in an art work?
Abstract sculptures interests me the most because it’s always in the eye of the beholder of what you are actually interpreting and it is all very personal.
In what ways do you feel that the city of Los Angeles inspires the visual language of street art?
The city of LA is the canvas for street art. Street art was born in Los Angeles as graffiti was born in New York. Street art beautifies the city and it is continuously evolving.
What role has the city played in making street art a significant moment in art history?
The opening of Art in the Streets at MOCA by Jeffrey Deitch in 2010 paved the way for making LA the world’s capital of street art.
What is your definition of “street art?”
Street Art is where artists express themselves in the streets using LA as a canvas.
As your artist roster continues to expand and diversify, have you noted any themes or narratives that occur consistently?
There is no unifying theme – they all just try to move people and make people think.
Currently what are popular materials used in the works in your online shop?
Aerosol and acrylic on canvas.
What are your hopes for the future of street art? And how do you feel the LAB ART will inspire change?
LAB ART has just recently become the youngest and newest member of the illustrious Art Dealers Association of California, and I feel that this validates street art on so many levels as a serious art form. Every piece of artwork that is in the gallery has such a prestigious stamp of approval.
To purchase the works in our collection visit LAB ART and get lost in their roster.
Featured image: Desire Obtain Cherish, You Call Yourself An Artist?, spray paint on canvas, 20” x 30”
All images ©LabArt Gallery and the artists