Author: Manna Selassie
At Connors Plumbing on the corner of Westdale Avenue. and Eagle Rock Boulevard, passersby may notice a unique and eclectic enclave. Ghettogloss is a new gallery and boutique that opened this June. The space is leased by Fiora Boes (Fiora B.), a Los Angeles-based artist who is often referred to as the female Andy Warhol by big art vendors such as Costco for the power and pop of her pieces.
Although Ghettogloss is new to Eagle Rock, it was originally established in Silver Lake 13 years ago as a famous pop-culture gallery in the neighborhood. “I headed east into the Highland Park area for a scene that’s a little more edgy,” said Boes. The gallery has cutting-edge contemporary art with a bit of a graffiti feel to it. Stepping into the gallery that is also part thrift shop, people are welcomed by huge, majestic pieces on the walls and fun, and funky knick-knacks and clothing throughout. Oftentimes, they have $1 bins of clothing and eclectic accessories outside of the gallery.
In addition to her own work, Boes has often displayed other famous artists’ work beginning with graffiti artists such as Mr. Brainwash from the film “Exit through the Gift Shop”, Retna, Ron English and Hominy Chong of Cheech and Chong. A more hip exhibit featured the original skateboards and decks from the skater film, Dog Pound. All of the original skaters came and skated at the opening. It is not rare for Boes to host openings and gallery nights with a plethora of celebrities and interactive displays.
Boes is incredibly versatile and well-woven into the Los Angeles art industry. After studying fine art and photography at Otis College of Art and Design, she soon became a photographer for the Hard Rock Cafe’s VIP section then Virgin Records. She was the first woman to have her own show at the Kator Gallery in Beverly Hills. She also designed and manufactured her own line of women’s sportswear at several department stores internationally. She has rented her art for several productions such as television shows “Glee” and “Revenge”, movie sets and Microsoft commercials. She has an Arts, Crafts and Vintage store at a flea market in Silver Lake with Indie bands performances every Saturday. Ghettogloss has monthly exhibitions throughout the year. The LA Times described her one of her events, The Nightlife Before Christmas, as grueling and fanciful.
Ghettogloss has two Occidental interns and welcomes more. “I hope to curate a student night there, and she is always looking for more Oxy interns,”Art History and Visual Arts major and Intern Jack Baker (junior) said. There is word of an Occidental student displaying performances pieces for her senior comps at Ghettogloss soon. This elaborate fun house calls creates new opportunities for Oxy artists and people who care about art in general. It is a beautiful addition to the neighborhood for plenty to enjoy.
For more information on Ghettogloss or to get onto the email list, email ghettogloss@ghettogloss.com.
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