Johnson Trading Gallery's new LA outpost

A steady stream of galleries and design boutiques has been colonising Los Angeles' once seedy Hollywood district over the last few years, pushing out the porn shops and establishing the area as a new creative hub. New among them this week is an LA branch of Johnson Trading Gallery - a big player on the New York design-art scene - which has just opened on the ground floor of the vast JF Chen building, one of the largest antique and vintage furniture stores in the city.
The gallery's new LA outpost takes JF Chen into uncharted territory - this is its first substantial venture into contemporary design. The inaugural exhibition, titled Superba, is a joint proposition, showcasing the work of leading designers from the Johnson Trading Gallery stable, including Simon Hassan, Kwangho Lee, Max Lamb and ArandaLasch, alongside a ream of JF Chen designers and artists. Among the pieces, expect new amorphous 'Poly' pieces from Max lamb and more spiralling, woven lights and furniture from Kwangho Lee.
Johnson Trading Gallery was established by Paul Johnson in 2007, who honed his collector's eye while heading up Phurniture Inc, and it has quickly become one of the bastions of contemporary design in New York. Rubbing shoulders with antiques stores like Reform and
http://www.blackmancruz.com/home.php" target="_blank" >Blackman Cruz, it's set to do the same in LA.
From left: Leather vessels and chair by Simon Hassan and Baked Copper and Enamel tables, cubes and cabinet by Kwangho Lee
Poly Furniture by Max Lamb, 2011
Baked Copper and Enamel Furniture by Kwangho Lee, 2010
Poly Seating Area by Max Lamb, 2011
Woven chandeliers by Kwangho Lee
Poly chair by Max Lamb and two-part hanging light fixture by Kwangho Lee
Address
Johnson Trading Gallery at JF Chen
941 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.
-
Step inside this Upper East Side jewel box apartment
This radiant Lexington Avenue home is a harbinger of good things for the Upper East Side, and the latest focus of The Inside Story, our series spotlighting intriguing and innovative interior design
By Anna Solomon Published
-
A new hilltop California home is rooted in the landscape and celebrates views of nature
WOJR's California home House of Horns is a meticulously planned modern villa that seeps into its surrounding landscape through a series of sculptural courtyards
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Is a tiny tattoo the best holiday souvenir? Kimpton Hotels think so
In partnership with Tiny Zaps, Kimpton Hotels is bringing city-inspired tattoo pop-ups to five U.S. locations
By Sofia de la Cruz Published