Timestamp	Summary
00:01.53	Introduction and background of Jennifer Rizzo
00:20.40	Jennifer’s role at Hashimoto Contemporary and exhibition schedule
01:04.83	Jennifer’s interest in art and decision not to pursue a career as an artist
03:12.80	Vulnerability and fear of judgment as an artist
03:59.55	Jennifer’s education in fine arts and interest in working in a gallery
05:46.51	Jennifer’s first job at Jonathan Levine Gallery
06:19.79	Transition to Hashimoto Contemporary
07:21.78	Jennifer’s decision to work at the right gallery
07:57.87	Connection with Ken and joining Hashimoto Contemporary
08:30.99	Jennifer’s journey and the growth of the gallery over the years
08:44.40	Jennifer Rizzo talks about the evolution of the gallery from Spoke Art to Hashimoto.
09:33.44	Jennifer Rizzo discusses the growth and trajectory of Hashimoto Gallery.
10:16.51	Jennifer Rizzo shares her favorite aspects of working in the gallery side of the art world.
11:24.66	Jennifer Rizzo explains the satisfaction of discovering and promoting young, under-the-radar artists.
12:51.90	Jennifer Rizzo discusses the challenges artists face when approaching galleries and offers advice for artists.
14:21.83	Jennifer Rizzo emphasizes the importance of researching galleries and making personal connections.
15:37.11	Jennifer Rizzo highlights the significance of community and supporting other artists in the art world.
16:42.68	Jennifer Rizzo talks about actively finding and selecting artists that align with the gallery’s vision.
17:41.48	Jennifer Rizzo discusses maintaining multiple galleries and running multiple shows simultaneously.
17:33.57	Jennifer Rizzo discusses the unique vision of the gallery and their intuitive approach to selecting artists
19:26.68	Jennifer Rizzo explains her process of finding artists and the sources she uses, including Instagram and art magazines
21:51.17	Jennifer Rizzo talks about the challenges of working with artists, including communication and meeting deadlines
24:11.96	Jennifer Rizzo shares her personal challenge of trusting her voice and instincts as a gallerist
26:20.51	Jennifer Rizzo asks about the struggles of being an artist and receives a response related to feeling exposed as a business owner
27:45.51	Charuka Arora discusses the role of art in coping with personal loss and finding solace
27:29.30	Artist’s struggle with vulnerability and exposure
28:04.17	The artist’s need to express grief through art
29:00.92	Art as an extension of life and personal experiences
30:28.21	The vulnerability and freedom of exposing oneself through art
32:32.70	The challenges and benefits of using social media as an artist
34:49.90	Advice for artists who prefer gallery representation over social media
35:34.41	The importance of social media for artists despite its challenges
36:49.74	Jennifer Rizzo prefers authentic artists
37:13.16	Jennifer Rizzo wants to see more posts about artwork rather than artists posing
38:08.96	Jennifer Rizzo enjoys behind-the-scenes studio shots and details about the artwork
39:31.98	Jennifer Rizzo shares a story about an artist who tagged Alessandro Michele and got a collaboration opportunity
40:25.88	Jennifer Rizzo appreciates when artists tag her gallery with intention and research
42:39.67	Jennifer Rizzo advises artists to be authentic, challenge themselves, and push their boundaries
45:17.44	Jennifer Rizzo discusses upcoming projects, including participation in art fairs and showcasing Abigail Goldman’s work
45:50.28	Jennifer Rizzo talks about Abigail Goldman’s dioramas of murder scenes
46:21.80	Jennifer Rizzo mentions other future projects on the horizon
46:20.72	Introduction and discussion about Hashimoto Contemporary
46:29.12	Plans for future exhibitions and curations
46:42.56	Taking a break from curating the floral show
47:13.94	Farewell and goodbye

[TRANSCRIPT]

**** – (): 00:01.53

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay, here we go welcome to the podcast Jennifer I’m so excited to have you. Okay, let’s start by why don’t you tell us who you are for everyone who’s joining us today in this episode. Um.

**** – (): 00:04.73

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Thank you so much I’m so excited.

**** – (): 00:16.94

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): How would you introduce yourself.

**** – (): 00:20.40

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Ah, my name is Jennifer Rizzo my focus is emerging contemporary art. So I am a partner at hashimoto contemporary we have a physical space in New York City which is my primary focus. Although you can also find me in San Francisco and we also have a Los Angeles location where our l a partner kind of handles everything there so we ah put on ah 12 exhibitions a year in each space plus art fairs in different cities. This year we’re scheduled to be in Mexico City a couple in New York and Taipei for the second year in a row which is very very exciting for us. So yeah, just ah, you know, staying busy.

**** – (): 00:59.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Amazing Jennifer let’s go a little back before we talk about gallery all of that I want to know a little bit about you who you are and you know how did you we speaking about present but I want to go a little bit back in time. What brought you to the gallery.

**** – (): 01:04.83

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Things.

**** – (): 01:13.79

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): First.

**** – (): 01:16.44

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): How have you been a part of the gallery your own journey beyond that and what got you into the art itself. Let’s let’s talk about a little bit about that. We’re all here. Ah.

**** – (): 01:24.22

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yeah, so we’ll have to go way way back? Um I would say my interest in the arts has been since childhood. Um, you know my parents always say when I was five I was. Drawing I was painting I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Bob Ross but I have like clear memories of putting his show on yeah and like doing watercolor paintings because I didn’t have oil paints um at 5 but you know I remember he would say like cerulean blue and I’d be like blue.

**** – (): 01:41.49

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Oh wow, you do.

**** – (): 01:49.60

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Ah, okay, oh you were following his instructions. Ah.

**** – (): 01:57.73

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Oh absolutely and then I would get very disappointed when it didn’t look just like his painting. Um, but always very invested. Yeah, very invested in the arts from the start. Um I was very lucky and fortunate to have parents who supported that. Um.

**** – (): 02:01.00

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Ah, like most of us.

**** – (): 02:14.30

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): And they always just encouraged me to follow whatever path you know, whatever path I wanted. Um, so from a pretty young age I knew I wanted to be in the arts. At one point I thought it maybe was as an artist I realized that it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. Um I. Feel like you have to be pretty brave to be an artist and have pretty thick. Yeah I think so you know you’re It’s a piece of you out there in the world. Um, and people hopefully people resonate with it and they respond to it but they also judge it and I think it’s.

**** – (): 02:34.87

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I Love when people describe it like that. No, that’s true. Yeah.

**** – (): 02:50.30

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah.

**** – (): 02:54.80

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, it can be a pretty and I’ve seen many artists with their shows at the gallery on opening night. How um excited they are but how terrified they are at the same time and it it always works out. It’s always you know a wonderful experience.

**** – (): 02:57.35

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Vulnerable they feel. Yeah I always feel like you know I always keep saying this I feel like when you put your work specifically out in the world. It’s like yeah, it’s like going naked because you have this feel like people will see you no matter how people.

**** – (): 03:12.80

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yes.

**** – (): 03:17.20

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): You know first build a facade you know, depending on how they treat their creativity but there’s always a fear that people will see you people will see you for something. Maybe you are something. You’re not. You know it’s like you’re open to judgment. Yeah yeah.

**** – (): 03:29.10

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? And that’s that’s the intention to an extent too right? You put it out there so people see so people connect but at the same time people are going to see me so it’s like a it’s like a double edge sword I think um, but in ah I went to college I’m from New York

**** – (): 03:36.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, light.

**** – (): 03:46.25

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I went to college in New York city f I t which is a fashion school. Um, yeah, yes I figured you might ah know? Um, but I did my undergrad in fine arts. Um, mostly just to get.

**** – (): 03:47.40

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay, yes, oh well that we have in common. Yeah yeah.

**** – (): 03:59.55

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): So you did you did have an idea that you probably would want to be an artist you did think about that.

**** – (): 04:08.11

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I was thinking about it. But I think at that time it still felt more just I wanted a well-rounded understanding of the whole picture of things so in order to know.

**** – (): 04:18.91

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, okay.

**** – (): 04:22.78

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): How to speak about a painting. You should know how to more or less make a painting right? Um, you may not know all the details but have an understanding of material have an understanding of oil versus acrylic. Um, so at around 16 or so I had kind of.

**** – (): 04:24.69

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yet.

**** – (): 04:39.74

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Said to myself. Well I think I want to work in a gallery and looking back. You know that’s what’s so funny to me looking back now I had gone to museums and.

**** – (): 04:40.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Wow were you exposed to the gallery world The whole art world by that time.

**** – (): 04:53.25

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Ever since I was very young. Um, but not so much galleries but I don’t know why I I sort of got it in my head I’m like well this is where living artists are I want to work with people who I can make an impact with now so galleries. Um, and you know I.

**** – (): 04:59.38

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 05:11.10

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Like well I’ll figure out how to get there and I’ll figure out what that means and so I’m in college and and fi had a program a master’s program for it was called art market and it’s all the fundamentals of how to work in the contemporary art world within the current market. Um. So that was sort of my my ultimate destination in terms of my education and um I was in the program at the time it was a very very small world and I think there were 8 people who graduated in my class and you know each class was like 6 people 8 people now now this is a pretty.

**** – (): 05:46.51

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Intense.

**** – (): 05:49.53

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Well-known career path too. But yeah, intense and niche very niche. Um, so beyond that you know started doing internships and and kind of checking all those boxes and eventually I landed my first job at a gallery as a gallery assistant. Um.

**** – (): 05:53.20

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, um.

**** – (): 06:06.97

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 06:07.82

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Was called Jonathan Levine gallery it’s currently ah, rebranded as Jonathan Levin projects because their mission has sort of shifted at this point but you know I learned all the foundations there I would say I was there about 7 years and worked my way up to yeah, very long path.

**** – (): 06:12.12

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 06:19.79

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Wow.

**** – (): 06:25.83

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Ah work my way up to associate director so from from assistant to director and learn the ins and outs and that was sort of everything I was doing before landing here. Um so it yeah so at that point it’d been about 7 years that

**** – (): 06:26.10

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Oh wow.

**** – (): 06:35.23

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And then what brought you here.

**** – (): 06:44.46

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Gallery was in a transition phase where they were moving to New Jersey um they were focusing more or wanted to focus more on programming and you know, kind of step outside of the traditional white walls monthly cycle. Um, and because of the move to New Jersey as well. You know I’m in Brooklyn and. Just a lot of things were changing with them in my life and I started thinking? Ok, what’s next and I was very clear with myself on the idea that I wanted to be somewhere that um the work spoke to me personally I didn’t want to work. At a gallery I wanted to work at the right gallery. Um, so I started. Yeah at the right gallery for me, you know at the gallery where the work excited me where the artists you know I wanted to help like um so I started kind of looking around and connected with you.

**** – (): 07:21.78

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): You want? sorry I missed you you wanted to work. Yeah, right.

**** – (): 07:39.92

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Ken who founded the galleries and at the time the New York space was um, a spoke art gallery which is one of our sister galleries so spoke art is ah fine arts but also at this point it’s um, a lot of pop culture programming so very different from hashimoto.

**** – (): 07:43.73

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 07:57.87

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Oh and yeah.

**** – (): 07:58.49

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, you know they do comic cons for example and they’ll do a Wes Anderson art show and ah you know all these like really fun thematic shows. Um, but I started talking with Ken about you know the spaces and it you know after a couple of months of conversation we ah kind of blocked in all the details and and here I was so um, about so gosh at this point around eight years maybe I’ve lost track. It’s been busier than ever every year I feel like it gets busier and bussier. So.

**** – (): 08:18.45

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): How long has it been for you then? so.

**** – (): 08:27.20

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Goodness.

**** – (): 08:30.99

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): So what? what was what was your journey like when you joined hashimo to where did you start from and let’s let’s take a little dive into these 8 years of the work that you’ve done and how the gallery has evolved for you and you know your own self.

**** – (): 08:44.40

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yes.

**** – (): 08:51.15

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yeah, so um, you know the New York space was originally a spoke guard about a year and a half into my um working at the galleries we were all having conversations like well what if we made it a hashimoto and we had you know a lot of reasons for that. Um. Our own personal interests in these artists wanting to provide more opportunities in a different city at the time hashimoto was only in San Francisco so we decided to try it and um, made that transition. So all the know the gallery is now Hashi Meto and now I’m a director at Hashi Meto um yeah and you know that’s what’s been really one of the great things about our spaces I think is like how much of an evolution I’ve seen and it’s it’s all felt very organic. Um, it’s all been. You know us changing with the times our personal interest changing. Um, so it’s very cool to be a part of something like that and.

**** – (): 09:33.44

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, um.

**** – (): 09:46.80

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): And to help that grow. Um, because since you know the galleries moved here and then eventually we opened in L a space as well. It’s been an an upward trajectory. So our following has grown our artists have grown. Um, we’ve grown. We’ve learned a lot as a business and as curator. So.

**** – (): 09:58.27

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, um.

**** – (): 10:04.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Amazing. What what is your favorite part of being in the gallery side of the art world. What still after all these years. What really like um you know.

**** – (): 10:16.51

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yeah I mean I think there’s a few things. Um I would say one of them has been the amount of personal satisfaction I get when there’s a young artist who’s maybe very under the radar and you know sometimes you just see someone’s work and. And you feel there’s something here. There’s something really special I see this and I want to see if I can do anything to help to help them put them on a bigger platform and not only can you do that. But you see other people connecting with the work and. I think that’s like an incredibly um, gratifying moment and I feel very grateful to be able to do that because especially like looking back on what um I read why I originally set out to do this. That’s that’s exactly it. That’s exactly what I was thinking when I was you know a teenager like where do I fit into this whole world. Um, so I would say that’s really great obviously getting to sit with an artist’s work for a month is so cool. Um, you know we transform the space every month so you get to live with this work before it heads off to its new homes and that’s that’s so great. Um.

**** – (): 11:24.66

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 11:28.57

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): You know, learning about a whole body of work. Especially when it’s a solo show and and kind of diving into all of the intentions that are behind it and and the process and the behind the scene. It’s like all of that’s so gratifying and I mean you know it’s it can be a very challenging industry I think for the artists for the gallerists.

**** – (): 11:45.94

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Absolutely Um, amazing, Um, tell me something um with your own experience of working with different artists. What do you think.

**** – (): 11:48.39

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, but yeah I feel very grateful to be a part of it at the same time I think yeah.

**** – (): 11:56.31

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): That’s p.

**** – (): 12:02.27

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, let’s talk about the good and bad. Both What do you think? um, is the biggest problem when it comes to artist approaching galleries. The way they look at galleries and you know there’s your load the struggle of selling art and.

**** – (): 12:05.71

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So.

**** – (): 12:18.90

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): First.

**** – (): 12:20.18

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): But has your experience so far been with our working artist different stories If you have anything to share like and I’m sure we have different experiences always that’s always a good story to tell.

**** – (): 12:27.14

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Of course. Yeah, yeah I mean you know I think it can be.. It can be challenging for artists because obviously being proactive is important right? putting your name out. There is important and how do you do that and I would say So for example, the gallery. Does not accept submissions. Um, That’s our official policy simply because if we did. It’s all we would do all day long is review the submissions and we just don’t have the bandwidth and it’s not something we’re interested in um, making a business. Um, you know it should be come from a more natural organic place. So It’s just the policy is We don’t accept it.

**** – (): 12:51.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 13:04.78

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Are.

**** – (): 13:06.49

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): But we always open the emails and we always look because realistically we’re doing ourselves a disservice if we just delete it. Um, you know we’re here to to look for new artists and and provide that platform so that requires looking everywhere. Um everywhere you are yeah but I would say that.

**** – (): 13:10.23

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 13:17.88

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right? No, that’s true.

**** – (): 13:25.84

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Taking the time to for the artist taking the time to think to yourself where do I fit does I Love this gallery but does my work fit there. So For example, we don’t really show photography and it’s not because we don’t enjoy photography. It’s just something that’s never been in our program. A lot of photography galleries are photography galleries. It’s almost like its own specialized thing and you know I may get a so and this has happened very frequently like I may get a submission for but absolutely beautiful landscape photography Now. It’s stunning work. But I can’t help you I can’t do much for that.

**** – (): 13:44.22

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right? yeah.

**** – (): 14:03.24

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So and you know it’s almost a waste of artist time too because instead of um, essentially just like yeah doing like the cold call take the time to do the research and take the time to see where you fit today and where you’d like to be tomorrow. Um, and I think that would be really helpful.

**** – (): 14:05.46

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): No absolutely.

**** – (): 14:21.83

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): And then you know there’s there can be little things within that like take the time to go on the web site and find out what our names are and so don’t address the email to Hashimoto Um I think all the rest of the galleries right? and you know these things are little.

**** – (): 14:25.26

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, absolutely a big one I would agree yes and do never BCC everyone the same email god.

**** – (): 14:39.84

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, right now.

**** – (): 14:41.32

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): But when you add it up. It’s it is a relationship right? So I think it’s um, it’s not Ill intentioned like an artist wants that relationship with the gallery. But it’s a it’s a twoway relationship. So I think remembering that it’s like well you want both. You know you want to treat kind of like the relationship from the start as that the possibility of that. Um, so all those little things I would say um for anyone who lives in a city that has a space that they’re interested in in showing their work trying to be a part of that you know going to openings.

**** – (): 15:00.87

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, that is to write? yeah.

**** – (): 15:18.95

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, of other artists in that space maybe introducing yourself one day. Maybe not at the opening if it’s super busy and people are running around but you know on a on a day that it’s open to the public taking a minute to say hi. You know my name is whoever I’m an artist I Love your programming I think those little bridges.

**** – (): 15:37.11

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, more people showing up supporting each other going to openings I think that is a very big one. You know often a lot of people when um, it’s just because I think a lot of times when we tell people Ok ok, go do openings I see.

**** – (): 15:37.55

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Can help a lot and it also helps build community. Um, which is important for all of us right right.

**** – (): 15:56.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I See a lot of people really um, pushing themselves on other people Specifically it feels really odd and impolite when there’s someone’s having a busy day something. That’s also an important day. It’s an important day for the galleries for the you know artist everyone and it just does not. It’s like.

**** – (): 16:00.20

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 16:14.15

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Building relationship. You meet someone you say hi you wish them well support them and the next time you meet you, You know you introduce yourself? Whatever yeah um, right.

**** – (): 16:22.79

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? exactly and I know that can be hard right? like I’m naturally introverted so that seems like oh you’re telling me to go out and speak to a bunch of strangers like no thank you? Um, but I think yeah being a nice person in the world and. Operating like that and walking around as a nice human being that that takes you a long way in life So Same same applies here right.

**** – (): 16:42.68

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, but tell me something how was a calorie do you so over the years have you been able to define. Okay this this is an artist that probably let’s you, you’ve seen. We’ll talk about both things. How do you actively find out a good.

**** – (): 16:57.60

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Once.

**** – (): 17:01.89

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Match a good. It’s like matchmaking right? You know being a gallery you have to figure out. Um we you know, figure out 2 parts of the business one is the artists you want to show the art the collectors you want to build I think but how um do you really specify. Okay, this makes it good and how do you actively find.

**** – (): 17:03.63

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 17:12.57

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 17:21.36

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): The artist that you feel. Ah, do you have like an internal checklist something that you feel is necessary for this stage and how as a gallery. Also you’re you’re defining this visual language in this genre that you want to be known for and specifically someone who let’s say is maintaining multiple galleries running multiple shows at a time.

**** – (): 17:33.57

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So.

**** – (): 17:40.51

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): All of that.

**** – (): 17:41.48

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So in terms of our overall vision for the gallery I think what makes us very unique in that is that it’s very instinctual amongst myself dasha our l a partner and Ken who founded this space. So. I think there’s naturally a lot of places where our interest overlap and then there’s places where you know Dasha will bring in an artist that maybe I might have overse like overlooked but there’s something there and then same with myself and so we’ve created this language like very organically on what. What kind of comes into the gallery. Um, and then there’s sometimes an artist where one of us presents it to the others and we’re all like oh a hundred percent absolutely we all fall in love immediately? Um, but it’s been very intuitive and I think that’s pretty special and I don’t know how common something like that is but I’d like to think it’s something where we have between the 3 of us. But um, in terms of finding artists. It’s been everywhere I think all of our jobs is again to always be looking at art and thinking about it and yeah, specifically how? yeah.

**** – (): 18:41.93

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): But how let’s say if somebody if somebody you know is is someone who’s listening both the ends. Um because we have people who are also you know early calgry owners Creative want knows but also a lot of artists so I’m trying to understand how we can help.

**** – (): 18:57.75

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): And yeah.

**** – (): 19:01.77

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Both of those kind of audience one. Um someone who says let’s say I am a good match for Hashimoto now. How do I figure out. Um, let’s say I let’s say for you I’m an ah ideal artist. But what is that ideal artist.

**** – (): 19:08.54

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Stay.

**** – (): 19:18.67

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): What is your process of let’s say you’re doing a new show. You’re building your rooster. Where do you begin your process like so that yeah.

**** – (): 19:26.68

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): With that? Yeah, so I think a good example of that would be um, sort of our larger scale exhibitions because a couple of times a year we’ll take on these really ambitious shows with about 80 artists. Um, and.

**** – (): 19:36.58

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 19:41.32

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): You know so the most recent one I did was this past summer and it was called lush and it was a floral themed exhibition and I think I came in around 79 or so total artists and it was a mix of you know, represented artists with the gallery exhibiting artists with the gallery brand new artists. Um brand new artists who have a track record of. Showing in spaces brand new artists who have never and this is their first gallery show and one thing I really enjoy about doing a show like this is that I can take those risks and it feels like um it feels like a very comfortable way to do it.

**** – (): 20:08.14

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 20:13.78

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 20:16.65

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, because a lot of the pressure is off of everyone by doing that right? So it provides that opportunity. Um in terms of where I have found that you know 1 artist that so we just had a solo show with danim Kwan um, in San Francisco

**** – (): 20:27.19

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, that’s all right? yeah.

**** – (): 20:31.93

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yeah, so that show just closed last Saturday and I found her she started following me on Instagram a few years ago and at the time she had about a couple of hundred followers. You know she wasn’t you know someone who was like on many radars and I was just like you know there’s something really tender and.

**** – (): 20:36.57

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay.

**** – (): 20:51.61

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Gentle about these pieces and I think they’re really lovely and special and a lot of times I’ll just save something I have like these little folders on my my Instagram and like my little art folder for this kind of work and that kind of work and I just I’ll save it and kind of think about it for a while and we had ah a good group show opportunity that came up and.

**** – (): 20:56.58

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Oh I’ll hear.

**** – (): 21:08.26

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): You raised him.

**** – (): 21:10.67

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): You know things had just been flowing for a couple of years with her that we finally felt like we were at a point where we could offer this solo show and it was a really beautiful body of work that she build like very sensitive um and you know that’s.

**** – (): 21:27.42

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I Think that that’s one of those moments of like oh Wow like you really were able to make this make these connections and make this happen. Um.

**** – (): 21:31.58

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, right now. What do you think is the hardest part in this process so working with the artists I think you’ve you’ve worked with tons of them over these years I’m sure and I don’t I don’t want to put a number that won’t justify. But.

**** – (): 21:47.69

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): The as.

**** – (): 21:51.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): What do you think is the hardest I know you have lots of good things to say and we’ll definitely talk about that. What What do you think is is the biggest barrier that you feel is that comes in artist own growth and when you also work with other artists that. Become tired.

**** – (): 22:12.30

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I mean I think because a lot you know artists are creative a lot of times. Um, the. When it comes down to like deadlines and organizational things. It may well the thing is it’s tricky right? because an artist is meant to be focused on the work and so here I am telling you okay well I need this by this date and this by that day and that can some not for everyone but sometimes that can be challenging, especially as we get closer to the exhibition as. You know nerves start to Rise. Um I’ve had shows where an artist doesn’t really share images with me until the very end then you know I’ve been asking but they just like don’t ever turn off and and then post-sex exhibition you know, oh well I was scared to share it and. You know I felt I feel so bad in those moments. It’s like I do try to be accessible and I do try to I Always give my phone number around like if you anything we need to discuss feel free to call me feel feel free to text me like this is a this should be a very open door and a very open dialogue I think that’s when it works best when.

**** – (): 23:07.40

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Copy relations. Absolutely.

**** – (): 23:15.52

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): You feel comfortable as an artist and I feel comfortable as a gallerist telling you what I need and vice versa. Um, it is a 2 wo-way street but I think me saying that and someone actually believing it to be true. Can sometimes be especially if it’s the first time we work together right? um.

**** – (): 23:25.50

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Right? right.

**** – (): 23:33.30

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So that can be a little tricky at times. But it’s never been anything that we can’t handle. It’s There’s never I always say there’s never been a show that hasn’t opened the day and time that it’s supposed to open so we make it work does it make my job more challenging. Yeah, it does sometimes but we make it work.

**** – (): 23:42.89

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Is supposed to be right right? but but um, okay so you Usedam to find your artist.

**** – (): 23:57.79

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I have used Instagram a lot um dasha and myself are constantly saying like have you seen this have you seen this and just like our Dms are full of artists. Um, yeah I I look at a lot of ah.

**** – (): 24:04.88

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And.

**** – (): 24:11.87

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah, I’m going to bring you I’m going to bring you one for us as well. Yeah.

**** – (): 24:11.96

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Submissions so I create magazine would be 1 of them or like new american paintings. Um, and then like I would love to see it. Yes, um, but just always looking you know and always looking at um. Other galleries that I admire not necessarily to to work with those artists. But even just to see what are people thinking about what are artists working on what is what is the bigger conversation that we’re all trying to have here. Yeah.

**** – (): 24:31.69

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah, no that I think makes sense now. Let’s also talk about um as a gar as someone who’s progress your career in the.

**** – (): 24:49.23

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Gallery side of the world. What do you think has been your biggest hurdle your biggest learning car. Your biggest you know the black sheep of the learnings.

**** – (): 25:00.37

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): You know I think yeah I think um I think it’s been similarly again to an artist’s path to trust that what I have like what I am. Putting out into the world is something that will resonate with other people. Um I think in part originally why I chose this path was because I could take a slight step back from being so forward. But I’ve especially the last few I feel like I’ve found myself more and more in a forward position. Um. As time has gone on and sort of just trusting my voice and trusting my instinct and then believing that it will mean something to people has been one of the biggest personal challenges for me but also the especially the last couple of years the the most satisfying one to see it. Coming together and and feeling more comfortable with that like feeling more comfortable that if I see something and I think to myself. Yes, that or let’s do this like that that’s going to work so just trusting that voice um has been a really big challenge for me. But what I’m working on. Yeah.

**** – (): 26:11.67

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I Love that you know one of them.

**** – (): 26:15.88

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): How about you? How do you feel as an artist has been one of your struggles.

**** – (): 26:20.51

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I Think for me I think you know what’s and I was ah, you’ve asked me a good question because I was about to ask you one that really relates to this you know being a business owner um, being an artist and being um, you know, um.

**** – (): 26:29.10

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 26:36.12

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): On the curation side of the things as well I think for me um I feel as a business owner I feel very exposed because at the end of the day I feel like you know the work that we do is it’s because you’re in the creative field of a lot of a work is like a creative canvas.

**** – (): 26:43.89

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 26:53.21

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Constantly like you know getting crafty and like you know like the mistakes that we you can see through it like you can really when you look at people and the work that we’re doing you really can similarly I think there’s a little difference you know? um I keep bringing this up in different episodes in different way. But.

**** – (): 27:02.39

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): And.

**** – (): 27:10.76

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I Keep telling this because this is a very big part I lost my mom um in Covid and no, that’s okay I Really you know what figured I really took art I think I felt exposed in all different.

**** – (): 27:18.87

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I’m so sorry.

**** – (): 27:29.30

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Ah, for me I feel like I have three canners. Why am I art I was really able to um, hide in and I was able to make a choice that I really did not wanted to put my out out there because it was.

**** – (): 27:42.91

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): In his.

**** – (): 27:45.51

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): A way for me to really it was so personal that I did ah show a solo show. Um, that was an ode to her after 1 year on her death anniversary and I still remember that day that.

**** – (): 27:56.20

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Space.

**** – (): 28:04.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): It felt like I was I was telling the world. How miserable I feel or like putting my grief out in the world or even though it was a celebration. It wasn’t a sad show or you know any of that but I felt.

**** – (): 28:18.26

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): The.

**** – (): 28:23.22

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I felt so seen so seen that it really like hit me and on the contrary when I see myself as as a business owner even though I’m constantly you know the work I do as a woman entrepreneur you know arts to art is all about womanhood my work. Um.

**** – (): 28:26.74

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 28:42.83

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): You know I use a suudon name called modern mahaani for my art. Um, which is extreme. Everything is about womenhood ever since my mom passed away. Um everything that I do only has 1 story womenhood purpose or helping other women and making women more seen and you know, ah supporting each other.

**** – (): 29:00.92

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): First.

**** – (): 29:02.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): All of that and for me my culture with my own art. My culture makes a big role and I figured like how how my business was able to help me Hide. It wasn’t of course I felt seen in the way that I was constantly meeting people and like but it was it was a canvas that necessarily didn’t. Have my feelings into it. But when I put myself out there as an as an artist even though no matter how much conceal I knew I wasn’t ready but I dearly wanted to do this but I felt like I was showing the world. How you know how.

**** – (): 29:22.80

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So here So his.

**** – (): 29:38.80

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Even every day today I feel like whenever I’m making my art I’m showing the world that my mom my mom’s passing away has changed me forever but also being on the podcast I keep you know like I said there’s no episode that I don’t but I don’t talk about it because my life has really like so I really.

**** – (): 29:47.27

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So who.

**** – (): 29:58.18

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Sometimes feel that you know even you being a curator I’m sure your life and I you know this is something I keep saying on the podcast. Our life is an extension ah art is an extension of the life we live and no matter anything. We’re creating if you’re curation, you’re curating a show I feel like you’re still responding subconsciously. That’s.

**** – (): 30:08.20

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So his.

**** – (): 30:17.29

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): That happened has ah happened in your own life your own experiences just just the degree of how personal that is I think that’s the only and I don’t know that? Yes, absolutely.

**** – (): 30:21.83

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, absolutely.

**** – (): 30:28.21

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? That could be challenging I mean that there’s a lot of intimacy with that right? and and once it’s out there. We’re in a time where um, it’s permanently out there right? So once you let the world know there’s no turning back for not. So yeah.

**** – (): 30:38.10

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah, yeah, but you know what? I’ve also realized um, it does feel um, extremely vulnerable to share yourself. Um, while your art but I also.

**** – (): 30:51.19

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Well.

**** – (): 30:55.20

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Feel. There’s a huge learning of as an artist every day as an artist I think there’s a learning of that no matter what you’re doing. It’s you but you also understand that one point you have to let it go like you have to let it go your.

**** – (): 31:05.70

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): The his the his.

**** – (): 31:12.83

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Your intimacy I think the more artists expose themselves the more free they become of the fear of judgment the more free they become you know ever since I did that show with form of that dedicated to my mother I think after that my art early and it has evolved and evolved and it’s It’s really like now I know.

**** – (): 31:19.81

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 31:32.52

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Now I’m I don’t have that fear of and I had that fear at the first time because that was a very sensitive and I feel like artists have that issue when you’re making art with something extremely personal. It does it does get a lot tricky I can definitely. So yeah I do agree with the fact that as artist.

**** – (): 31:43.69

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 31:52.51

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Sometimes not all I don’t think I have done that always some I’ve made art that has had that hasn’t been like Okay, it’s it’s going to hit me on and off that’s going to break me down. Not really not always, but my life changed in a way that now a lot of the work that I do make.

**** – (): 32:03.18

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): A.

**** – (): 32:10.53

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Has because it’s a way for me to process my you know my experience but now I I think I like I art also teaches you how to deal with it I don’t know I don’t know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, do you tell me something. Okay.

**** – (): 32:14.10

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right. Well those can be the pivotal moments right within personally and 4 year practice.

**** – (): 32:29.57

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Someone who’s feeling stuck in the career I think and this is a very genuine place I Want to ask because I truly if I could I wish and that’s why I feel like social media is such a um, such an amazing place at least it provides artists a place to um.

**** – (): 32:43.50

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So.

**** – (): 32:49.27

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): You know express themselves to maybe make a living out of it. There’s so many and we do not have as much galleries dealers consultants to really be able to support the art ecosystem. The number of artists we do have but I do also understand that not everybody is a social media kind of artist because it does take a.

**** – (): 32:51.69

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So.

**** – (): 33:07.60

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Like it’s a full time career at this point, especially with the new algorithms and everything it’s it’s not what it was ten years ago you know to build your following. So.

**** – (): 33:09.40

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Another layer of exposure and vulnerability like yes you know for me.

**** – (): 33:20.95

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): And not even that you know ah Jennifer what’s even you know I’ll tell you I was pretty much active before my mom. My mom passed to two years ago I was very much active on Instagram I was still not um.

**** – (): 33:29.42

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So.

**** – (): 33:37.89

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I was still not as inhibited to share so much of myself because you know it’s it. It didn’t feel as painful or as too much ever since are passing away I think it just became so hard for me now it become it has become so hard for me.

**** – (): 33:41.62

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Serve.

**** – (): 33:47.61

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): The.

**** – (): 33:56.60

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I have a team who manages social media with us. You know for us, 2 hearts and everything. But for my own art I just knew I didn’t have it in me to put it myself so much out there because it was extremely sensitive for me and I understand and with overload of information.

**** – (): 34:05.99

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 34:13.13

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): It was hitting me in a point where I felt like you know this is not going to help me and I know that a lot of artists have started to feel that way that you know constantly being um, overexposed how do you? What is your suggestion for people who feel like maybe I think social media is excellent. Truth.

**** – (): 34:18.51

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um.

**** – (): 34:23.51

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 34:32.70

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): For people to you know if they can but a lot of artists Also do not want to go. Let’s say someones in an Introvert Someone’s not really great and they want to find a good compatible gallery or start the career or at least get into the next steps. What is your.

**** – (): 34:39.71

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): The.

**** – (): 34:49.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Suggestion for them.

**** – (): 34:50.14

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, I mean I would say I do think social media is a blessing and a curse it is um it does feel and even for the gallery side. You know it’s It’s a very important tool. We have.

**** – (): 34:57.17

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, this Yes, absolutely.

**** – (): 35:07.40

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): It’s it also a tool that can be very challenging because you’re constantly having to keep up with these things that I personally didn’t know anything about five years ago I have to figure out algorithms we have to figure out. Um, now reals is the new thing that you know the platform is pushing. So now. It’s not even just about this? Okay, great I’ve take 1 beautiful still photo I can wrap my head around that now I have to make these curated videos and I’m sure many artists listening in have made them but they take half a day if you make a very.

**** – (): 35:27.69

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yes.

**** – (): 35:34.41

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah.

**** – (): 35:38.36

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Well done. You know we’ve made them for the galleries and it it takes a very long time and okay now you have to find the song that’s trending. But and it’s it’s like this whole other thing. Um for artists who were able to build their following. You know a few years ago when it was a little bit more of an organic platform where.

**** – (): 35:50.65

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, you know years ago.

**** – (): 35:58.32

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Things simply if things were getting um ah likes or things were getting comments. They would show it to more people. It’s no longer that model. So now it can be more challenging for anyone coming in at this point. Um, but yeah, unfortunately I do think it I.

**** – (): 36:01.18

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, yeah.

**** – (): 36:18.60

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Think in terms of at least the social media tools. We all have out at our disposal. It does feel like the most appropriate one for the arts at this time because it is the most visual right? yeah.

**** – (): 36:28.27

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Okay, let’s help. Ah,, let’s help people a little bit more Okay, what kind a lot of artists feel extreme. Oh We have so many of these questions artists feels really tasked between. What kind of work should they be posting what their social media should look like so that they can attract the right audience Now someone Let’s say someone like you who’s actively looking creative work just to even catch someone’s Attention. What is your mindset What kind of.

**** – (): 36:49.74

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is.

**** – (): 36:58.73

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Students.

**** – (): 37:01.90

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Do you prefer artists showing reals. Do you prefer? Um, you know what are your suggestions and um, let’s let’s help let’s help people a little bit more.

**** – (): 37:13.16

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Sure Yeah I mean I think this may or may not be actually because I think it what it needs to be is authentic I think um, it’s very clear when something is forced or.

**** – (): 37:17.89

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 37:26.66

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Overtly posed or and you know frankly sometimes those things work out for those artists but in terms of me and what I’m looking for I want it to be um, authentic I am.

**** – (): 37:30.31

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, absolute yeah.

**** – (): 37:39.19

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Not so interested in what an artist looks like although I’m happy to to see their lovely faces but I want to see the work and I want to see more post about the work than an artist posing beautifully in front of the canvas. Um, and I think we see now more and more of those accounts these days of just like.

**** – (): 37:50.77

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah.

**** – (): 37:54.57

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Very ascetic you know, kind of almost awkwardly poed but it looks fantastic and it’s like well that’s not real and and sometimes it does make me um, question the authenticity or the the reason why are we doing this right? So I want to work with artist who’s exactly.

**** – (): 37:55.55

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Now.

**** – (): 38:08.96

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): What attracts you the most it are these detailed shots installation shots a working progress. Um.

**** – (): 38:14.82

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? I mean I think a mix of all of it if there’s you know I Love a behind the scenes studio shot I Love seeing I Love when an artist tells me a story about what’s going on, especially if but someone who I haven’t worked with that I may not be so familiar with what their work is about I Love um, the details. Of Why you’re making this work and I think people like and people love I mean myself included everyone loves a behind the scenes everyone loves to know what’s going On. Um, what is the studio like what is you know?? How do you work? What is your space like ah and for anyone who is working on a body of work putting that or maybe.

**** – (): 38:38.92

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, right.

**** – (): 38:53.85

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): You know an installation shot of when the gallery is installing the show and and any content like that can be I think interesting but it is again a tricky situation because your job is meant to be focused on the work. But I think it’s one of the many um things that as times. Progresses and technology evolves we have to all? yeah we have to all progress. Yeah.

**** – (): 39:13.23

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I love that we have to pick up. Yeah, but I think they’re always like I love um ritheica rhythmca merchant I don’t know if you’ve I’m sure you must have heard about her. She’s an artist. Um from India she’s really. Amazing. She was a cover artist for first issue of the magazine and she’s been with k christian’s gallery. She’s she’s shown her work all around the world. She’s like 1 of the really um she I think she won the vanguard art sea vanguard. Also yeah I think rhythmica words on the vanguard. Yeah so I love I was speaking to and I you know she’s.

**** – (): 39:31.98

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Test.

**** – (): 39:43.15

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): See.

**** – (): 39:49.32

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): She’s extremely shy and um, we were speaking about how Instagram and all of that and she did ah her so she had the chloe collaboration and imagine out of all places which I feel like in Pinterest is an amazing place for sure. Um, Natasha.

**** – (): 40:04.64

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): This is.

**** – (): 40:07.64

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Actually found her wire pinterest her work on Pinterest and if you look at her feed she she doesn’t do the reels, etc etc. She just has a scan of her work artwork that’s and um and her feet looks stunning honestly I love it and that’s that’s a guide to someone.

**** – (): 40:21.26

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): So.

**** – (): 40:25.88

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): That’s a guide for an introvert someone who doesn’t want to put themselves out. There can actually take that route.

**** – (): 40:30.80

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? Absolutely um, you know an artist that we’ve worked with in the past had a collection ah with Gucci many years ago because she was tagging at the time Alessandro Michel was the designer and. The creative director and she was tagging him in her posts and he saw it so there’s yeah and talk about like the most ah kind of roundabout way.

**** – (): 40:48.42

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Wow. You know? Ah we yeah sometimes you feel like you know like I said now I We come back to the point that are your actual set that was authenticity because a lot of times you know there’s so many people target us every day on different post and something and.

**** – (): 41:07.64

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right.

**** – (): 41:10.86

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I think what I do appreciate sometimes is when people do tag us it does take courage. You know like you said it does take courage to okay tag Alessandra and you know look at my work. Um, yeah, but which is great. Um I think what doesn’t.

**** – (): 41:14.92

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): For her.

**** – (): 41:20.40

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? And you look at it right.

**** – (): 41:29.47

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): What misses sometimes is that again like you said a little bit of research is someone who’s tagging us. There’s something if I’m open my post and gone there and seen something um I feel like a little research a little something that you liked about us or like.

**** – (): 41:35.76

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, for this.

**** – (): 41:47.54

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Or there’s an inspiration or says something. That’s you know that really helps you build a connection that could take it forward.

**** – (): 41:55.85

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, absolutely something that makes you feel that this is specific to you right? It was oh I want to work with you Not just with a person right.

**** – (): 41:58.33

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Yeah, yeah, it’s not like randomly I hate the part when there are there are artists who you know who would randomly tag X amount of accounts just like that and I’m like I liked even if you’re tagging me I I Really like it.

**** – (): 42:12.42

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Right? right.

**** – (): 42:18.33

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): To be intentional. Um, and I’d love if there’s something fruitful that comes out of it. Amazing. Okay, thank you so much Jennifer it was so nice to have you absolutely my pleasure.

**** – (): 42:20.83

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, of course absolutely of course it was so nice chatting with you.

**** – (): 42:34.42

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Any last tip that you have to share with us any last bit that you want to share with us if I have missed anything.

**** – (): 42:39.67

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I mean I don’t believe so if there’s anything you, you’d like me to dive in on further I’m happy to do so though.

**** – (): 42:44.25

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): 1 last piece of advice if you have for all of us who for me for everyone who’s listening anything as actually this is not for artist specific I was about to ask this question. Okay, let me do this as so you’re of women who.

**** – (): 42:53.58

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Um, you know I think.

**** – (): 43:01.87

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Woman on Trippina and I feel like artists curators we’re all in the same places we just have different canvases and logistics of the work we do. We’re all, um people who are trying to make creativity. One of our main ways of expressing what is your own any any piece of advice or.

**** – (): 43:07.25

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): See.

**** – (): 43:21.73

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, creative entrepreneurs artists just women who are in the creative world today. Um be it in different roles. What is your advice for them and how how has your own experience been that I promise this will be my last.

**** – (): 43:29.77

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Is. Ah, um, now happy to keep chatting. You know I think any project that I’ve been a part of that I’ve been most proud of has been something that has felt like it. Was a piece of me in some capacity so and a show I’ve curated that was personal or a theme that I really personally felt invested in diving into and I think again just keeping that authenticity and following that voice and. And challenging yourself. You know? So for example that floral show I mentioned um that I did earlier this summer it was the third time third year in a row that I’ve done that show and I think it may oh amazing.

**** – (): 44:13.58

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I Love that we’re also doing a floral book a specific book that is on flow Fraud rule. Yes, yes, we have to I’m going to send a copy of all these books to you.

**** – (): 44:22.22

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Well, we should talk about florals some more I’m sure we both have a lot of ah inspiration and overlap. Oh I’d love that. Yeah, thank you? Um, but you know with each show I’ve before the second show and before the search show I thought to myself. Why am I doing this again and how do I make it. Better than the last time I’ve done it and I think constantly pushing yourself and sort of that. Um, not in a negative way but being critical of yourself challenging yourself pushing yourself to to dive deeper into whatever it is. You’re working on is very important. Um, and I would say.

**** – (): 44:58.99

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Constantly kind of doing that push is is a good piece of advice for myself and for people in general. But of course.

**** – (): 45:00.69

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): I Love know that is an incredible advice. Thank you so much. Okay, before I let you go is there anything that you want to share with us in the sense of the project that you’re working something any new show. What’s up with the gallery.

**** – (): 45:17.44

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yeah, um, so we’re quite busy this year as usual I’m very excited to be going to Mexico on Sunday ah so we have a zona maco with Carlos Rodriguez Solo booth of a Mexico City artist so that’ll be next week

**** – (): 45:18.32

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): How people can find you support. You. Good to be up.

**** – (): 45:37.40

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): And then you know my focus for the next few months is art fairs. So following that we are participating in the outsider art fair for the first time with Abigail Goldman who’s ah she makes ah miniature dioramas of murder.

**** – (): 45:50.28

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Wow.

**** – (): 45:52.23

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Scenes are very um, lovely domesticated. You know, almost like 1950 s little dioramas but when you take a closer look. They’re these brutal little murder scenes and and kind of watching someone’s reaction to immediately being charmed because from its slight distance. It’s very charming work and then and then. Going in and then you see them like physically move back and then go back in again is so so fun. So I’m very excited to be bringing her work to the fair um and then a couple of other projects that we have on the horizon. So.

**** – (): 46:20.72

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, means.

**** – (): 46:21.80

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Yeah, super excited for that and um, yeah, you can check us out at hashimoto contemporary either online or on Instagram. So.

**** – (): 46:29.12

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Perfect I will make sure that we link all the details in the show notes and um, make sure that you can find um, a lot more details in the show notes of this episode. Thank you so much Jennifer it was so so nice speaking to you and we’ll have a floor rule one for sure. Okay, we’ll bring you back once you when are you curating this next? yes.

**** – (): 46:42.56

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Awesome! Thank you Awesome The floral show Gosh you know I’m actually taking a pause because I it might be finished.

**** – (): 46:59.84

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Um, no, um, authentically we’ll see yes, perfect.

**** – (): 47:00.17

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): I hope it’s a part of me hopes. It’s not but I want if it comes back. It needs to come back stronger some yes and so I’m taking a a break. We’ll see maybe it’ll be in a couple of years but I’ll definitely let you know what.

**** – (): 47:13.94

**** – (): charukaarora

**** – (): Thank you so much I hope to see you soon. My.

**** – (): 47:18.00

**** – (): Jennifer Rizzo

**** – (): Bye.

About the Guest(s):

Jennifer Rizzo is a partner and director at Hashimoto Contemporary, an emerging contemporary art gallery with locations in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. With a focus on showcasing the work of emerging artists, Jennifer has been instrumental in curating exhibitions and participating in art fairs around the world. With a background in fine arts and a passion for supporting artists, Jennifer brings a unique perspective to the gallery space.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Jennifer Rizzo, partner and director at Hashimoto Contemporary, shares her journey in the art world and provides insights into the gallery side of the industry. From her early interest in the arts to her role in curating exhibitions and working with artists, Jennifer discusses the challenges and rewards of being a part of the contemporary art scene. She also offers advice for artists looking to approach galleries and shares her thoughts on the role of social media in the art world.

Key Takeaways:

• Building relationships and making connections with galleries can be a key factor in an artist’s success.
• Authenticity and trust are important in the artist-gallery relationship, and artists should take the time to research and understand the galleries they are interested in.
• Social media can be a valuable tool for artists to showcase their work, but it should be used authentically and with a focus on the art itself.
• Artists should consider the specific interests and focus of a gallery before approaching them, and tailor their submissions accordingly.
• Building a strong body of work and consistently pushing oneself as an artist can lead to growth and opportunities in the art world.

Notable Quotes:

• “I think there’s something really special when you see someone’s work and you feel there’s something here. There’s something really special. I see this and I want to see if I can do anything to help them put them on a bigger platform.”
• “Being a nice person in the world and operating like that and walking around as a nice human being, that takes you a long way in life. Same applies here.”
• “I want to work with artists who are authentic. I’m not so interested in what an artist looks like, although I’m happy to see their lovely faces. I want to see the work.”

Charuka Arora is the founder of the Arts to Hearts Project and Host of the Arts to Hearts Podcast. She is also an acclaimed Indian artist known for her contemporary embellished paintings. Her unique blend of gouache, collage, embroidery, painting, and drawing explores the intersection of art, culture, heritage, and womanhood. Through her work, she tells stories of female strength and encapsulates them in pieces that can be treasured for generations.

Charuka’s work draws inspiration from Hindu mythology, recognizing women as vessels of Shakti, the cosmic energy. She beautifully portrays powerful goddesses like Durga Maa riding a tiger or lion, symbolizing their unlimited power to protect virtue and combat evil.

Through her art, Charuka invites us into the world of women, showcasing their beauty, strength, and resilience. Her creations not only exhibit exceptional talent but also serve as an inspiration and a symbol of hope for those challenging societal norms.

Arts to Hearts Podcast is a show delving into the lives and passions of renowned artists. From running creative businesses and studio art practices to cultivating a successful mindset, Charuka Arora engages in heartfelt conversations with her guests. Experience your personal happy hour with your favorite artists, right in your studio.

Through candid discussions, Charuka and her guests reveal the joys and challenges of a vibrant creative life, both within and beyond our studios. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted as you tune in.

Jennifer Rizzo

Jennifer Rizzo is a partner and director at Hashimoto Contemporary, an emerging contemporary art gallery with locations in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. With a focus on showcasing the work of emerging artists, Jennifer has been instrumental in curating exhibitions and participating in art fairs around the world. With a background in fine arts and a passion for supporting artists, Jennifer brings a unique perspective to the gallery space.
The gallery’s roster consists of an eclectic blend of emerging and established contemporary artists working primarily within its respective local communities. Hashimoto Contemporary provides a dual platform to both marginalized and mainstream voices.