COREY HELFORD GALLERY CELEBRATED ITS GRAND OPENING THIS PAST WEEKEND AT NEW
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
12,000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE
UNVEILED NEW RON ENGLISH
‘NEONATURE’ EXHIBITION
Click here to download hi-res photos of Ron’s work on display
Click here to download photo gallery from opening weekend / Credit: Eric Minh Swenson
Los Angeles’ COREY HELFORD GALLERY this past weekend attracted hundreds of art enthusiasts as well as iconic musicians and tastemakers to its much buzzed-about grand opening VIP reception (Friday) and public grand opening (Saturday).
Downtown Los Angeles [DTLA] became North America’s epicenter for the arts as the 12,000-foot space on Anderson Street opened with the unveiling of NeoNature: We Are the New They-the latest exhibit from celebrated pop art visionary Ron English. This major happening served as the perfect introduction to the COREY HELFORD GALLERY‘s new locale since moving from Culver City. A few steps from the gallery entrance, English had painted a vibrant and primal mural, marking the spot.
Under the cavernous urban industrial canopy of DTLA, guests converged on the COREY HELFORD GALLERY. Upon entering the expansive space just past a candlelit hall, visitors roamed free among the artist’s creations such as the “Monarch Elephant” and “Bigfoot Family” as well as sculptures of Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam, along with massive nature-themed installations. As the creatures on the walls presided over the event, provocatively dressed cowgirl barmaids served beverages, while KCRW DJ Marion Hodgesprovided a soundtrack. Click here to download hi-res photos of Ron‘s work on display.
English personally presented his pieces to rapt attention from the spellbound audience as legendary artist and influencer Shepard Fairey admired the exhibits. Meanwhile, Michelle Shocked gave a rousing and fierce performance of her own, singing “Runaway Time” (co-written with Ron), befitting of the setting. Gerard Way (American musician and comic book writer who was the lead vocalist and co-founder of My Chemical Romance), actress Masiela Lusha (George Lopez, Blood: The Last Vampire), and drummer Mitch Marine (Dwight Yoakam) all passionately imbibed the sights, sound, and soul of NeoNature.
With an in-depth profile, LA Weekly praised the “underground vibe” and added, “CHG may have moved to Anderson Street because they needed more room, but it’s a good branding move too. Judging from the crowds both at Friday’s press opening and Saturday’s public opening, the art-party seems to agree.” In their piece Juxtapoz called it, “An exciting new adventure for Southern California.”
Photos from the weekend are below. Click here to download the full photo gallery from opening weekend.Credit for all photos: Eric Minh Swenson.
(L to R): CHG’s Special Projects Curator, Caro, Jan Corey Helford, Ron English and
CHG Director, Sherri J. Trahan
(L to R): Ron English and Shepard Fairey
The Seventh Letter Crew (left-right): artist Seen, pal of RISK’s Howie, artist RISK,
CHG Director Sherri J. Trahan and artist Skid One
(L to R): Michelle Shocked and Ron English
(L to R): Jan Corey Helford, Ramzi Habibi and actress, Masiela Lusha
(L to R): CHG Director, Sherri J. Trahan, Ron English, Jan Corey Helford and cowgirls
Ron English painting “Monarch Elephant Profile” mural outside the Corey Helford Gallery
Crowd shot during opening night of CHG
COREY HELFORD GALLERY has ignited a new era for the arts in Downtown Los Angeles.
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