September 10 – September 26th 2009
Pharmaka's last show at 101 W. 5th Street
Pharmaka Group
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Mark Acetell
Randall Cabe
Christopher Cousins
Stanley Dorfman
Shane Guffogg
Laura Hipke
Doro Hoffman
Tim Isham
Christopher Monger
Luke Rothschild
Michael Rosenfeld
John Scane
Vonn Sumner
Zelman
Before Pharmaka was a gallery it was a group of artists and art lovers. The group arose out of necessity, in early 2003, to fill the gap between what is important and meaningful to painters in their studios and what is marketed and hyped in the art market. The group spread from 3 to 15 and more by word of mouth and invitation. No single style or temperament predominated, only an abiding passion and commitment to painting, and a dissatisfaction with the status quo.
The question was posed: What is the role of Painters, Painting, and Art in this culture?
The artists and members of the group addressed this question, in various forms, over and over in studio visits, group discussions, emails, and exhibitions. Soon the group's remarkable energy led to the building and opening of an artist-run exhibition space and non-profit organization in the heart of Downtown LA. The gallery was designed by noted architect and Pharmaka member Christoph Kappeler, and built by the artists themselves. What started out as a completely artist-run space eventually added gallery director Rebecca O'Leary. Over the last four and a half years this group has guided Pharmaka the gallery to some ground breaking shows and enlivened the art world in a variety of ways. Through exhibitions, curatorial projects, panel discussions, open critiques, podcasts, community events, and even the hosting of a monthly poetry reading, Pharmaka the group and the gallery have had a far reaching and enduring impact on the arts in Downtown and Los Angeles in general.
It has not always been smooth sailing but Pharmaka the group has drawn on the strength and talent of its members and the basic truth of the initial questions that brought them together. They welcomed candid discussions and critiques, agreement and dissent, and through it all the group has always stood together. Because of the gallery space, the group’s internal dialogue has not remained internal but has become an ongoing one with the viewing public, especially those passionate about the future of painting. Now Pharmaka will mount the last exhibition in their original gallery at the corner of 5th and Main St., with a show of new paintings by group members, before moving on to a new space in the lobby of the same building.
Standing together and looking toward the next chapter of Pharmaka, this show will serve as both a farewell to what has been and a glimpse of what is to come for the gallery and the group.~SG
101 W. 5th Street | Los Angeles, CA 90013
info@pharmaka-art.org | 213.689.7799 | www.pharmaka-art.org
Vonn Sumner, John Scane
Doro Hofmann, Mark Acetelli
Shane Guffogg, Zelman, Christopher Cousins
on back wall: Randall Cabe,
left to right: Luke Rothschield, Michael Rosenfeld, Christopher Monger
Tim Isham, Laura Hipke; on back wall: Stanley Dorfman
