Culver City’s Arts District begins at the intersection of La Cienega and Washington. The emergence of so many prominent and upcoming galleries in the Eastern stretch of the area is due to the large influx of artists from all over the country with their eyes set on sunshine and the warm temperatures and open space that the State of California offers.
No wonder Culver City was named, “nascent Chelsea by The New York Times. The Culver City News will take a weekly pictorial glance and talk to gallery owners and managers, about their artist in residence and the art that keeps them happy.
First, up on our tour guide is PROHIBITION GALLERY: Located at 6039A Washington . It sits right next door to the Industry Café Jazz, a local jazz club and restaurant serving Eretrean & Ethiopian Soul Food.
Prohibition is open from Thursday-Saturday, noon -6 p.m. The gallery is managed and co-owned by resident artist, Eliot Saarinen and men’s clothing designer, Glen Williams.
Saarinen is a native of Hollywood and met the gallery’s owner through Michael Gittes whose work is also promoted there.
Saarinen, like most dynamic artists, has come through lots of adversity which inspired him to not only be an expressive artist himself but to support other artist as well.
Prohibition specializes in artists who have no technical training and choose to work in authentic and non-bureaucratic environments.
“After walking through other galleries, we found that the structure created a beauracracy of right and wrong. We put the word out that we were looking for visceral and authentic artist because authenticity is very important to us,” said Saarinen.
“It is also important to me that the social norms of right and wrong do not taint the artist that we market and promote here. We look for and attract artist who have come from pain and personal struggle. We welcome their free and authentic expression. Our artists do not know what an artist statement is. I have never named any of my work. There are people that would argue against my beliefs about authenticity of which I still strongly believe in,” said Saarinen.
Saarinen and visual artist Michael Gittes have formed a synergy with their art but with no complete direction.
Although they express very different themes, those themes work well together. Saarinen explains that his work and the work of other artist presented at Prohibition are not just for retinal pleasure.
Rather than lead the thoughts of the viewer, the viewer or art lover is allowed to have their own interpretation. The works of Brooklyn born artist, Wyatt Mills, collection entitled, “VOID” was featured this month of April as well as Saarinen and Gittes.
For more information about Wyatt Mills check out his website at www.Idoesart.com and www.P1921.com. Prohibition can be followed on Facebook @ Prohibition Art.
The contact number for Prohibition is 323-600-3588.
