Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Brown.
Hi Ivy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Opened in New York City’s Meatpacking District in 2001 Ivy Brown Gallery represents and exhibits contemporary art of all mediums with a focus on work with a 3D element. The gallery has dedicated itself to supporting both emerging and established artists of every ilk, from local to international. The gallery opened earlier than expected as a reaction to 9/11 and the need to do something for the community. The artist’s got together and created a dreamy environment and the opening on November 8, 2001 was at capacity, many people had not gone out after the events of 9/11, there were 9 performance artists throughout the gallery, people were able to just experience what was happening around them rather than going over the previous events we had all been living through. The gallery then closed to finish building the walls and lighting and reopened in 2002.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Don’t know anyone or business who have not faced obstacles, its part of life, how we deal with these obstacles effect how we live our lives and the impact it has on us. Finding resources and staying fluid have been my best defense. Sales and getting press are the two biggest challenges most art dealers face.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a curator I am attracted to work that is unusual yet still timeless, the majority of our artists have a 3D element to their work, it is what I would consider one of our specialties. We work with several 2D artist’s who’s work I consider to be unusual and standout from the majority of work I have seen. I am known for my particular esthetic, I try to have a point of view, a visual voice that can be seen, at its best it relays a message. Though it is hard to stand out from such a teeming marketplace I believe this has been one of my strongest aspects that set me apart from other curator’s and gallery’s. We also make an effort to respond to everyone who contacts us, though not always immediately I try to make myself available to artists, it is so hard for them to get any feedback from a gallery.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The artists I work with deserve all the credit, the amazing work they do, the intricate detail and man hours they put into their art make it exciting to show their work and promote them. They are truly a fantastic group of people who I enjoy spending time with as we go through this journey together. I have been blessed with an amazingly supportive and loving family and phenomenal partner who does all the prepping of the gallery, installing of the exhibits and lighting, without his help I would have to hire three people to do what he does. I have been very lucky and blessed on these fronts, most people I know do not have the kind of family that I have. I co chair a fantastic group of women art dealers called AWAD, The Association of Women Art Dealers, they have been an incredible resource, gracious and open with advice, information and leads, I am not a big group person but this group has been life changing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ivybrowngallery.org/
- Instagram: @ivyjeannebrowngallery
- Facebook: Ivy Brown Gallery
Image Credits
Ivy Brown Gallery