Whitewall spoke with Christy Cham—the renowned costume designer, art collector, and founder of CHAM—to get her inside take on the best parts of Frieze Los Angeles.
Best Discovery
“727 Knots: The Pink Dress” by Vanessa German. Courtesy of Christy Cham.
One highlight was discovering Vanessa German at Kasmin Gallery. I love her use of rose quartz and her powerful yet whimsical style of sculpture. As a designer, I’m always intrigued by artists who use fashion as a medium for their work. Plus, that pink! CHAM is so much about color that I’m always keeping an eye out for distinctive hues and this is one that made an impression.
Best Vibe
Caitlin Macqueen at Hannah Hoffmann. Courtesy of Christy Cham.
Hannah Hoffmann never disappoints. It’s a relatively young gallery and Hannah has a great eye for new talent. I always love to see what artists she showcases; Caitlin Macqueen was a highlight for me.
Best Show
Kristen Morgin at Marc Selwyn. Courtesy of Christy Cham.
My favorite was Marc Selwyn Gallery. His curation of artists is always thought-provoking—even when combining very different styles, his choices are always complimentary—and I find his taste incredibly impactful. Some personal highlights from his show are Joey Terril and Frank Bowling.
Best Surprise
Hiroshi Sugimoto. Courtesy of Christy Cham.
Experiencing a Hiroshi Sugimoto masterpiece up close was a wonderful surprise. I was able to visit his studio during a trip to Japan and it left a lasting impression. He quickly became a favorite of mine, so I get particularly excited whenever I get to encounter his work—there’s something so cinematic about his style that really resonates with me.
Best Event
Sudan Archives at the Hammer Museum. Courtesy of Christy Cham.
I’m part of the Hammer Collective, the Hammer Museum’s committee of young arts patrons, so I’m a bit biased but, honestly, no one does a better event than the Hammer. This week’s standout was their Frieze kick-off, which combined a private viewing of the galleries along with cocktails and a performance by local musician Sudan Archives. The crowd was great and I love Sudan Archives’s style!
Best Moment
Not to detract from the art at all, but I have to say I loved all the incredible food pop-ups at the fair! Frieze is always great for running into friends and meeting some of my favorite contemporary artists—the pop-ups became the perfect place for catching up and enjoying some of my favorite bites all at once!
