Danny Sangra's awesome illustrated interviews for new Tokyo show are a thrill
Like Ed Norton in Fight Club (1999 spoiler alert!) The Valerie Mallory Gallery has two distinct personas. According to its website, it was founded in New York in 1978 by Valerie herself, “critic, mother and muse to many.” Closed after her deportation, it has been rekindled by son Viktor, or so they’d have us believe. Alternatively it’s the brainchild of Danny Sangra, who was keen to create a new kind of space in which to showcase the work of artists he admired. To mark the opening of the VMG show in Tokyo, Danny has put together some awesome illustrated interviews with those taking part. But we thought it was wise to speak to the man himself too for a bit of a lowdown…
Hi Danny! Tell us about the story behind VMG? How did it start?
It started as a place to display the work made by a close circle of travelling friends. It’s since developed into place where artists of various levels are free to try out new work. Sometimes an artist needs to be invisible in order to create something with less judgement against previous work.
How do you select which artists you work with?
All the artists have at some point seen each other naked or being sick on a street corner. Sometimes both at the same time. Do either and you’re in.
Was the move from online gallery to physical shows planned?
As most of the artists live around the world, having a real space allows us all to get together. Most of us travel together so it’s just another excuse to do something together.
What are the plans for the future of the VMG?
Keep the space moving. We have had our debut show in Tokyo. Actually we are having it at this very moment. As I type in fact. We will continue to develop and make people wonder what the hell we are really all about.
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Rob joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in July 2011 before becoming Editor-in-Chief and working across all editorial projects including itsnicethat.com, Printed Pages, Here and Nicer Tuesdays. Rob left It’s Nice That in June 2015.