We recently had the chance to connect with Yi (Evelyn) Gong and have shared our conversation below.
Yi (Evelyn), so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about our customers is that they prefer clarity over options — they don’t want too many choices; they just want a simple, straightforward answer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As an Art Consultant specializing in Asian art and culture, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Pinto Gallery and Kylin Gallery to curate exhibitions and participate in major art fairs. This role allows me to champion talented Asian artists and contribute to the local art community—an endeavor that I find deeply fulfilling. I’m passionate about bridging cultural gaps and sharing distinctive artistic voices with a wider audience.
Pinto Gallery was founded in 2019 by Yi Gong and Peric Fang in Los Angeles. The idea took shape when Peric purchased his first Takashi Murakami print at The Broad Museum and noticed a striking price difference between works sold in Japan and those in the U.S. This realization sparked a question: how could collectors—particularly during the pandemic, when access to galleries was limited—enjoy a more affordable and transparent art-buying experience?
That question led to the creation of Pinto Gallery as an online platform dedicated to showcasing Asian artworks. The gallery offers limited-edition signed prints by renowned artists such as Takashi Murakami, MADSAKI, and Aya Takano, with a mission to make art collecting more accessible—especially for younger collectors who rely heavily on digital research when acquiring pieces.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The opportunity to deepen my knowledge through artist studio visits, master lectures, and participation in leading international art fairs—including Frieze Los Angeles, Frieze New York, Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Hong Kong, NADA, and Untitled—has been profoundly formative. I take pride in providing collectors with thoughtful and comprehensive guidance, extending beyond acquisition to encompass preservation, framing, and display, ensuring a refined and informed collecting experience. This commitment to excellence enables us to deliver distinguished service, cultivate enduring relationships, and advance Pinto Gallery’s growth while remaining authentically engaged with the global art community.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to trust her instincts and stay curious. Every experience—whether smooth or challenging—will eventually find its place and purpose. Keep learning, stay open, and believe that passion and integrity will always guide you toward the right path.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that art seeks out the souls it is meant to touch. Even without evidence, I have witnessed how a single work can awaken something profound within someone—an experience that eludes explanation, as if timing, emotion, and meaning converge beyond reason. It is a quiet reminder that beauty, connection, and understanding often dwell in the liminal spaces between intention and chance, where the unseen shapes our deepest experiences.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, our customers would most miss the personal guidance and thoughtful connections we provide. Beyond offering exceptional artworks, we help collectors navigate the art world, discover pieces that truly resonate, and feel confident in their choices. They’d miss the combination of expertise, trust, and the human touch that makes every interaction with Pinto Gallery meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinto.gallery/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pintogallery_la/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pinto-gallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pintogallery/
