Realizing that the once perceived “unsanitary” urban fabric of the city offered a level of intimacy, vitality and creative spirit that sterile suburban development scales often preclude, citizens, with developers in tow, have rediscovered their downtowns. In many cases this renaissance was sparked through burgeoning art scenes with downtown Los Angeles being no exception to this trend.

 

Attracted by the plentiful loft spaces found in abandoned manufacturing and high-rise buildings, artists were offered an ideal setting in which to develop their ideas within a budget.

 

While one hopes that recent gentrification efforts will not push artist communities from their spaces, there is no mistaking the fact that new life has been brought back into the city and has fashioned an environment where artful congestion, off-the-wallspaces and colorful characters reside. One such personality is artist/curator, and now gallery owner, Neil Simon Poyuzina, a young veteran of the LA art scene. He has curate several group events and participated in more than 70 group/solo shows.     

 

As a firm believer in the premise that the true source of learning lies solely in the action of participation, Poyuzina’s space, “Art Slave,” made a successful debut on July 15. It now takes its place alongside other established haunts such as the Hive and the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown LA. Neil gives us a brief glimpse into his world:

 

Los Angeles Journal: How big an influence do you think the artists had in downtown’s renaissance?

 

Neil Simon Poyuzina: Artists such as Nathan Cartwright have provided a safe haven for a lot of young artists. The Hive not only provides workspace but also sells a lot of work for local artists. I think that the major contributors have been the landowners. Once the artists do all the work and make downtown a better place to be [in], all the values of downtown properties will sky rocket. Over all, the artists don’t seem to be making the change…how could they without funding?

 

This one always gets me. I hear a lot of whining about the rents going up and artist’s leaving because they can’t afford it. I just find it funny because it’s the very people that are moving into downtown that can afford to buy art. It is a bit of the “Catch 22” if you ask me. Artists should be more concerned with marketing to these newcomers than complaining about rent.

 

 

I’ve wanted a gallery for years now. It’s hard to say exactly how long. I’ve been throwing shows and curating events but nothing compares to your own space. I finally don’t have to run any ideas by anyone so my creation process isn’t hindered. I’ve seen a lot of good art slip through the cracks because all the galleries aren’t quite sure what to do with it. I am hoping that my gallery will provide an outlet for these artists. As far as why; it has always just been a personal goal/dream of mine.

 

I hope to expose and sell the works of artists that are my favorite. I plan to show mostly wall hanging mixed media and painting. As far as overall accomplishment, just getting the space open was satisfactory. I plan on not over thinking it. Allowing ideas to flow freely is very important to any of my processes. I plan on running my gallery with this same freedom.

 

I am inspired by many things; mostly nature. But it’s hard to single things out. I like to feed my head to see what my fingers will do with it. My work as of now is going along the lines of bridging classical and contemporary. I’ve been working with marble dust plaster and photo transfers. I don’t have complete control over either of these processes and that is what I get excited about. I like to conduct, not control. This is a personal philosophy in both my creations and my life.