Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Sarrow.
Karen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
artHYPE began as video artist interviews with artists I met at TAG Gallery in 2018. My first interview was with performance artist Aleister Eaves, who was new to L.A. We have subsequently published many culturally relevant conversations with contemporary artists on artHYPE’s YouTube channel.
In 2019 TAG started offering members the opportunity to curate independent projects. I asked Genesis Be, a hip hop artist and justice activist if she would show her new paintings in Los Angeles. “People Not Things” was her first solo exhibition which opened in L.A. in March 2019 and then Brooklyn in August. artHYPE then visited Sara Svetlana’s studio and curated her first solo show “mama,” including themes of immigration at TAG. [INBTWN] by Debbie Y.J. Lin opened October 10, which was a multi-media and multi-cultural exhibition. These successful and diverse exhibitions of women’s art led my husband, Jonathan Sarrow, artHYPE’s Director, and me to expand artHYPE into a gallery. The first large space I found in Van Nuys didn’t work out. In June 2020, we found a live/work space in The Studio building in North Hollywood. We are still getting to know our creative neighbors.
artHYPE’s first show in North Hollywood is by Michael MP Griffin, who is an extraordinary impasto painter from the Mark Bradley class of Cal Arts. This show ends December 20th, and we are open for visitors by appointment most days. artHYPE YouTube recently posted a conversation with Michael MP Griffin, and his good friend Marjam Oskoui of Berlin, and artist Nikolas Soren Goodich of San Francisco, who now lives in the Pacific Palisades. artHYPE’s Team for this show includes Tisha Janigian, Odette Leonelli, Randy Klinenberg, and our part-time employees Prima Jalichandra Sakuntabhai and Jaclynn Mossberg.
artHYPE will open another extraordinary exhibition by a new L.A. artist in January 2021. The gallery walls will be covered with intricately drawn ink compositions by Anthony E. Hobson. artHYPE will present a barrier breaking digital photography exhibition by Lady Lea beginning in April. We are booking much longer exhibitions because of Covid-19 and we enjoy spending more time with exhibiting artwork.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building artHYPE has been a fairly smooth and exciting road. We’ve been able to enjoy the company of artists we work with and it’s very satisfying and rewarding to install and curate art. Events are such a rewarding piece of our exhibitions, so I was disappointed not being able to host receptions at the beginning of this pandemic. artHYPE hosted two small, social distancing receptions in September and October, allowing us to meet new people in the new space. We are not planning any more receptions until we see a large drop in Covid cases. I have experienced some resistance opening shows in other venues, and budgeting shows after our rent doubled. We are so happy to have started working with NoHo Arts District, Artillery Magazine and Artsy.net this year.
I’m thriving as an artist, which defies the naysayers who say artists can’t be both a working artist and a manager. There are many examples of successful artists in L.A. who do both, especially prominent female artists. Good exposure is always a challenge, so thank you Voyage L.A.!
Please tell us about artHYPE.
artHYPE is an artist-run gallery in North Hollywood. We seek to promote authentic and diverse artists. artHYPE provides homes and businesses with museum quality artwork, delivered and installed. We are known for showing new artists and promoting women and diversity in art. We offer affordable art, and financing with ArtMoney. artHYPE is a gallery for the 100%. artHYPE’s visitors have told us we are not cold or disinterested like some other galleries. I come at this business from a historical and academic background. artHYPE’s attitude is “Conversations & Humanism.” I am most proud of the humanistic and original artwork that brings joy and appreciation to our clients.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
The most enduring of my favorite childhood memories involve exploring the natural areas of the northern Missouri town I grew up in. Sometimes I was alone in the park breathing evergreens, a couple of times I went fishing with my two older brothers, but I was too loud. The small town had a golf course, tennis courts and a swimming pool. Lately, I often think about being about 12 and looking at Rembrandt’s self-portrait at the National Gallery in London with my mother and father.
Contact Info:
- Address: Visits By Appointment
5355 Cartwright Ave #116
North Hollywood, CA 91601 - Website: https://arthype.net
- Phone: 2137136643
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @arthypenow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthypenow
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/arthypenow
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1hoBfXYejOzSy8-0IRD4ag
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