Hidden Gems: Meet Pietro Alexander of SPY Projects

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pietro Alexander.

Hi Pietro, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well, I’m an art dealer. I have an art gallery, called SPY Projects, where I exhibit and sell work from a variety of different artists.

I’ve spent most of my life in the LA art scene. It was a much more insular world when I was younger, so most of the people I interacted with, and that my parents interacted with, were involved in art. Growing up like that, surrounded by people involved in this kind of niche world who constantly evaluate the art around them, you inevitably form an opinion about what art is good and what is bad. That’s all you really need to start an art gallery – a vision for what you think art should be and enough ego to believe you’re the one who can bring that vision into reality.

There was never a specific point where I said, “I’m going to start an art gallery.” However, circa 2020, nobody was putting on good exhibitions in LA. I, along with my gallery partners, Sasha Filimonov and Gabriella Rothbart, wanted to change that.

Alright, 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?
It hasn’t been smooth at all. The art world is opaque, and the only way to really learn the ins and outs of the business is by working at a gallery. So, I interned for a big gallery in New York City. Pretty quickly after I started, I got a feeling like I wasn’t very good at my job. A couple of weeks go by and after screwing up a really simple task, I think I was supposed to print out a PDF and kept using the wrong kind of paper, the HR person calls me into her office. She told me, “If this were a real job, I’d fire you.” And that really stuck with me cause, you know, I thought it was a real job! Now I’m here and killing it.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
SPY Projects is an art gallery located in historic West Adams. The gallery was founded by yours truly, as well as my partners- Sasha Filimonov and Gabriella Rothbart. We exhibit both emerging and mid-career artists. We’re known for showing really, really, really good art and throwing great parties- the latter being something that I am very proud of. Otherwise, I would like your readers to take away three things from this interview.

1. SPY Projects shows really cool and really good art (maybe the best art).
2. We throw a big party every time we open a new show, and you are all invited.
3. The drinks are free.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
This might not be as much about me, but I think it’s funny. Around once or twice a week, I get a call from a really stressed-out person asking if we sell hidden cameras and recording equipment. We don’t, but if any of you out there want to buy a painting or a sculpture and put want us to put a hidden camera in it, we could oblige.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spy-projects.com/
• Instagram: @spyprojects

Image Credits
David Altobelli Holly Robef Nik Massey Alan Shaffer