First Exhibition of 2021: ‘Aloha, Mr. Hand’

“Aloha, Mr. Hand”
Group Show inaugurating our new gallery space

On view January 9 – January 30, 2021

2020 has proven to be an immensely challenging time for galleries and the art world as a whole, but for its 15th anniversary, Thinkspace powered through the chaos to have one of its most successful years to date. When galleries and museums began closing their doors due to COVID-19, Thinkspace immediately pivoted to virtual programming, hosting opening nights on IG Live, and virtual Google Street View-style gallery tours on their website. The gallery was at a unique advantage in digital programming, since for years they have had the artists themselves walk viewers through their exhibitions in a series of first-person videos, providing unparalleled commentary and insight into the work on the wall and their creative processes. This positioning and preparation allowed a number of their shows to sell out in spite of lockdown, raising over $100,000 for local COVID relief and Black Lives Matter charities. Thinkspace is even kicking off the decade with a move to a new location in December, opening its doors in the new arts district emerging at Jefferson and La Brea, at 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles, California.

Among successes for the gallery this year, 2020 kicked off with an 80 artists group show celebrating Thinkspace’s 15th anniversary, with custom 15-inch square panels from Trekell. To date, the show has nearly sold out. Following the abrupt change in March that halted in-person capabilities, the gallery continued its programming with sold out virtual exhibitions of artists James Bullough, Ermsy, Kayla Mahaffey, Scott Listfield, Max Sansing, and many more. In June, Thinkspace released an exclusive series of prints by Kayla Mahaffey and successfully raised over $90,000 for Black Lives Matter.

With 15 years and counting of success, in December, Thinkspace will expand from its current 2,200 square foot space in Culver City and more than double in size to a 4,500 square foot warehouse in the new Jefferson / La Brea arts district in the heart of Los Angeles. The dramatic change takes the gallery from the current 2,200 sq ft space to a brand new 4,500 sq ft space with 12 foot walls and 20 foot arched ceilings.

With unparalleled success in one of the toughest years for galleries in recent times, it’s safe to say there is more coming from Thinkspace and it is not to be missed.

Featuring new work from:
Anthony Hurd
Barry Yusufu
Boris Anje
Brian M. Viveros
Cinta Vidal
Dan Lydersen
Esao Andrews
Hanna Lee Joshi
Hilda Palafox (aka Poni)
Huntz Liu
Imon Boy
Jack Shure
Jacub Gagnon
James Bullough
Jeremy Geddes
Julio Anaya Cabanding
Kayla Mahaffey
Lucas Lobo
Marie Claude Marquis
Michael Reeder
Nosego (aka Yis Goodwin)
Reen Barrera
Sandra Chevrier
Scott Listfield
Sean Banister
Sergio Garcia
Stom500
Troy Lovegates
Victoria Cassinova
Wiley Wallace
Yosuke Ueno

“If I’m here, and you’re here, doesn’t that make it our time?”
– J. Spicoli

Ken Nwadiogbu interviewed by art collective LEAGUEOTO

Art collective LEAGUEOTO recently interviewed artist Ken Nwadiogbu with rapid-fire questions that give us the opportunity to know more about this talented painter. Nwadiogbu will be having his first solo exhibition with us early next year in March of 2021.

Please visit the LEABUEOTO website here for the full interview.

Where does your inspiration come from?

When I began practicing art, my inspiration came from issues relating to my peers and those around me. Now, I am inspired by recent happenings in the news and issues relating to Black people. The philosophy that drives my work is simple, I want to inspire and create change everywhere that my work is presented. I don’t just want to make works for the sake for it, if you look closely at each piece, I am always trying to say something. From issues relating to profiling and brutality, to issues relating to African migration and bad government.

LEAUGEOTO.com | 11/6/2020