Philippe, please tell us how the HG Contemporary began and what some of the highlights have been?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: HG Contemporary was founded a little over four years ago. At the time, I was an art advisor for private collectors, but then saw the opening of the gallery as a way to give artists the opportunity to show their work and establish myself on the primary market as well. Highlights have been numerous, but I’d like to list the opening of a second location as well as the many exciting collaborations with brands such as Aston Martin, Louis XIII and others. And each exhibition in and outside the gallery has been a highlight on its own.
How did you first become interested in art? Who encouraged you?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: Art was everywhere I looked growing up. Whether in our home, family friends that were artists, the many museum tours my mother dragged me to at first – until I started dragging her to the work my family did within art. A true career in art was not something I had thought of until I set foot in the field on a professional level. Two artists asked me separately from one another to host their events during Art Basel Miami that year. I felt an immediate connection, and found myself right at home. Everything happened the way it was supposed to.
The HG Contemporary Art Gallery has regular exhibits from up and coming artists. The gallery shows off some of the hottest new exhibitions that features creators pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. The cutting-edge exhibits have helped give HG a reputation that few galleries are able to gain in such a short timeframe.
Please tell us about the different art exhibits and other shows you are organizing?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: The artists represented at HG Contemporary are all unique talents and the most promising talents in the art world right now. We had shows for Tim Bengel, a thorough sensation, who connects our affinity with social media and communication and unique medium of using sand and gold resulting in distinct pieces of artwork with video that reaches millions. We had shows for Laura Kimpton who creates powerful words and large scale sculptures that have become famous beyond just the burning man community. Marc Gumpinger, a treasured digital artist, who translates beautiful images into oil on canvas paintings. The list goes on. Our upcoming show on Thursday, May 17th, is by Nelson Saiers, a former hedge fund manager turned artist. The show is titled “Unusual and Exigent”, and given the ten year anniversary of the 2008 financial crash, the artist provides a social and historical discourse on Saiers’ experience as a proprietary trader in 2008 exploring many of the incredible aspects of the crisis. We will also open our brand new Madrid, Spain location on June 8th!
How do you choose the artists you show?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: I primarily look for what is unique, something that I have not seen before. It appears easily and often times tempting to choose artists that replicate something from the Warhols, or Basquiats of this world. Though they may do it successfully, and are certainly also good artists, we are looking for approaches that have not been touched before. It’s important for the future and positioning. At the same time you want to create value for artists and collectors alike.
Hoerle-Guggenheim has scheduled a number of unique exhibits found nowhere else in the art world. The gallery owner has worked hard to establish the HG Contemporary Art Gallery in New York City, and now sees the fruits of his labor pay off with his all-new Madrid, Spain-based gallery opening this summer.
Philippe, what is next for HG Contemporary?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: HG Contemporary Madrid, opening in June, is a very exciting venture. There are amazing shows coming up, one of which is Dan Eldon’s work exhibit in September. He is a beautiful artist that has devoted his life to spread light and life in crisis areas in Africa, and unfortunately, he lost his life doing working there. A foundation was started in his name that continues to do good, and the artwork he created will be shown at HG Contemporary. We will also have three living artist that will create a couple of works inspired by Eldon.
What sets your art gallery apart from other galleries?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: We are distinct in finding unique talent and we are not afraid to take risks where most galleries would not dare to go to. We create great opportunities for artists and collectors alike. Public art projects such as the large scale wall on 22nd and tenth avenue painted by Italian artist Pixel Pancho and other public art installations. We try to add value and invest in the artists we work with.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
PHILIPPE HOERLE-GUGGENHEIM: Seeing artwork gain value over time due to your doing. Artists all work hard to get the recognition they deserve. We are here to facilitate it and make it possible. For that to happen, we create win-win situations. It is rewarding to see artists happy to see progress in their careers. Having an impact in it is a blessing, and I truly enjoy every bit of it.