La Collector

How do contemporary artists turn memory into meaning?In this episode of La Collector, host Mackenzie Heard interviews painter Ray Hwang about his creative process, artistic influences, and the role of personal history in contemporary painting. Based in New York, Hwang’s work blends abstraction with symbolic imagery—drawing from his upbringing, cultural identity, and everyday observations.This conversation explores:The creative process behind abstract paintingHow artists develop visual language and symbolismThe role of identity and memory in artMaterials like joss paper and their cultural significanceTips for how to look at and understand contemporary artWhether you’re new to the art world or a seasoned collector looking for their new favorite artist, this episode offers a deeper look into how artists think—and how you can engage with their work more confidently.Follow Ray -- @rayhwangart or www.rayhwangart.com

Art history was never meant to be a list of names and dates you were supposed to memorize in tenth grade. It was always something messier, more human, and far more interesting than that.In this episode, Mackenzie breaks down the major art movements — Neoclassicism, Impressionism, Modernism, Abstract Expressionism, Postmodernism, and Contemporary art — not as a timeline, but as a chain reaction. Because every single movement started the same way: with artists who looked at what existed and decided it wasn't enough anymore.You'll learn why critics accidentally named Impressionism with an insult, what Picasso was actually rebelling against, why Abstract Expressionism made New York the art capital of the world, and how Warhol used consumer culture to blow up everything that came before him.By the end, you won't just recognize these terms — you'll understand what they were fighting for. And the next time someone at a gallery says "this feels very postmodern," you'll know exactly what they mean.This is not Art History 101. No lectures. No slides. Just the story of people who refused to repeat what came before them — and changed everything because of it.Subscribe to La Collector wherever you listen, and follow along on Instagram (@lacollector.podcast) for gallery picks, cultural commentary, and art world insider access.

If you’ve only been to The Whitney, we need to talk. This week, I’m sitting down with Michelle, the woman behind What’s Up in NY (@whats_up_in_ny) who's mapping the best art, talks, and cultural moments happening across New York City.  We talk about:The best free and pay-what-you-wish museums in NYCThe small galleries in Tribeca, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side you shouldn’t sleep onWhy some of the most important shows aren’t the most hypedHow to build your own taste (instead of chasing trends)What it really means to “get” artWhether you live in New York or you’re visiting for the weekend, this is your insider’s guide to navigating the NYC art scene with confidence. Because art isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing what moves you. Come for the hidden gems. Stay for the permission to trust your own eye.And make sure you follow What's Up in NY | Substack (⁠⁠@whatsupinnythisweek), Instagram: @whats_up_in_ny

We’re talking art discovery—NYC edition—with Morgan Everhart, artist and founder of ArtHap, the beloved New York listings platform that helped thousands of people figure out what openings were actually worth leaving the apartment for and is now part of ArtRabbit, a global art discovery platform.In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Morgan to unpack what’s really happening behind the curtain of the art world: how galleries function, why pricing is still so murky for artists and buyers, and what it takes to build a truly useful discovery tool in a city where everything opens on Thursday and somehow all at once. We also get into the big shift happening right now—our changing relationship to the internet, niche communities, and the tension between fragmentation and connection in the art scene.Morgan shares what he’s learned from years of navigating every layer of the ecosystem (from museum jobs to studio management to platform-building), why it’s okay if you don’t like the work, and what parts of experiencing art will always be deeply human—no matter how digital the world gets.If you’ve ever felt intimidated walking into a gallery, overwhelmed by the noise, or stuck scrolling without a plan — this is your roadmap.Follow ArtRabbit (⁠⁠www.artrabbit.com⁠⁠⁠) | Instagram: @artrabbit

In this episode, Mackenzie explores art as a necessary form of expression during moments of crisis, division, and uncertainty. We talk about how artists use their work to document lived experience, preserve memory, and speak when language — or institutions — fail. From historical examples to contemporary artists working right now, this episode looks at how art often becomes the first draft of history.This isn’t about taking sides or decoding art “correctly.” It’s about understanding why art so often emerges in moments of rupture, why discomfort is sometimes the point, and how looking closely can be an active, human response to the world we’re living in.This is a slower, more reflective episode about art not as decoration or status, but as orientation — a way to make sense of what’s happening around us and feel a little less alone while we do.Because art doesn’t just reflect the world. It responds to it.Resources & ReferencesFrancisco Goya (c. 1810–1820)Jacob Lawrence (1940–1941)Kara Walker (1990s–present)Dread Scott (1980s–present)ACT UP (late 1980s–1990s)Theaster Gates (2000s–present)Zanele Muholi (2000s–present)Forensic Architecture (2010–present)Banksy (1990s–present)

In this episode of La Collector, Mackenzie sits down with Gigi Dick to talk about what actually keeps us connected to art long after the opening night buzz fades.With a background in art history and experience spanning Sotheby's, art advisory, and now the design world as a buyer at Williams-Sonoma’s GreenRow, Gigi has seen the art world from nearly every angle. She pulls back the curtain on the psychology of collecting, the quiet power of discretion inside auction houses, and why memory and emotion often matter more than price tags.We talk about what really happens behind the scenes at Sotheby’s, from client strategy to the social choreography of auctions, and the difference between collecting for status and collecting for yourself. Gigi shares how art advisors shape collections in subtle but powerful ways, why buying art should be intuitive and personal, and where to begin if you’re new to the art world and feeling intimidated.This episode is a reminder that collecting isn’t about having the “right” taste. It’s about paying attention, staying curious, and letting art become part of your everyday life. Whether you’re wandering museums, saving artists on Instagram, or filling your walls with pieces tied to memories, this conversation will change how you think about living with art.Resources & ReferencesLegion of Honor de Young Museum San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

We talk about art as objects all the time. But what happens when art becomes environment?Luxury hotels are one of the few places where art has to work instantly, at scale, and for thousands of people a day — most of whom aren’t consciously thinking about the art at all. And yet, it shapes how we move, how we feel, and how we experience a space.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how art actually gets curated for luxury hospitality. From creative briefs and brand psychology to scale, framing, budgets, and the realities no one posts about, this is an honest look at what goes into building spaces that feel intentional, elevated, and alive.I share how I moved from a corporate job that wasn’t quite right into the world of art advisory, and what working on projects like luxury hotels taught me about taste, restraint, and storytelling — lessons that apply far beyond five-star lobbies.This conversation is about understanding how art works when it’s meant to be lived with, not just looked at. And most importantly, how you can apply the same principles to your own space — no hotel budget required.

If you’ve ever loved a piece of art until you saw the price, you’re not alone. This is the question I get asked more than any other, and it’s the one that stops so many people from collecting before they even begin.In this episode, we’re talking honestly about where to buy affordable art that actually feels good to live with. Real work by real artists. The truth is, affordable art exists, but finding it takes a little curiosity and a shift in how you think about collecting.I break this conversation into two parts. First, the how. How to approach buying art on a normal budget without crashing out, rushing, or chasing trends. We talk about building taste, trusting your eye, and why emotional connection matters more than size or price. Then, the where. The categories of places where great, buyable art actually lives, from open studios and artist-run spaces to student shows, print shops, small art fairs, and curated online platforms.This episode is about slowing down, looking more closely, and realizing you do not need permission to collect. You do not need connections. And you definitely do not need a comma in your bank account to have taste.Resources that are mentioned in this episode are below, and my curated NYC Art Gallery Map is linked for anyone looking to start exploring in person.Resources & ReferencesOpen StudiosBushwick Open StudiosGreenpoint Open StudiosFrogtown Art WalkArtist-Run and Project SpacesTiger Strikes AsteroidSOHO20 GalleryHuman ResourcesArt FairsThe Other Art FairSuperfine Art FairFuture FairPrint Shops and Edition StudiosLower East Side PrintshopTamarind InstituteChicago Printmakers CollectiveOnline PlatformsTappan CollectiveUprise ArtArtsper

We’re stepping out of New York and into Austin—where the energy is hot, the tacos are good, and the art scene is quickly becoming impossible to ignore.In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Austin-based abstract painter Hunter Ash, whose richly layered works feel intuitive, vulnerable, and deeply human. Her paintings aren’t about perfection—they’re about movement. The kind of feeling you recognize before you can name it.We talk about what it actually looks like to build an art career outside the traditional art capitals, why Austin’s creative community is having a moment, and how Hunter found her voice after taking an unexpected path into the art world. We get into studio routines, creative blocks, and the hardest part of painting: knowing when to stop. Plus: why hating the work might be part of the process, and what it means to make art people genuinely want to live with.This conversation feels like a deep exhale—honest, grounded, and full of reminders that art doesn’t have to be a shout to be powerful.Follow Hunter Ash (⁠www.hunterash.com⁠⁠) | Instagram: @hunterash.art Resources & ReferencesArtists Mentioned in the Episode:Winter Ruski, Paintings (2000s–present)Heather Day, Abstract Paintings (2010s–present)Emily Eisenhart, Paintings (2010s–present)

Painting, sculpture, installation, conceptual work—mediums are the building blocks of how art shows up in the world. But they’re rarely explained in a way that feels accessible or relevant.In this episode, Mackenzie offers a clear, conversational introduction to the major art mediums you’ll encounter in galleries and museums today. We talk about what defines each one, how artists use them, and why medium matters—not as a rulebook, but as context.This is not an art history lesson. It’s a guide to looking with more confidence and curiosity. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of how to approach different kinds of work, what questions to ask, and how to articulate your reactions without overthinking them.Because understanding the medium doesn’t limit your response—it deepens it.Resources & ReferencesArtists & Works Mentioned in the Episode:Leonardo da Vinci, Salvator Mundi (c. 1500)Mark Rothko, Color Field Paintings (1940s–1960s)Vincent van Gogh, Paintings (1880s–1890s)Pablo Picasso, Drawings and Studies (1890s–1970s)Michelangelo, Drawings and Studies (1490s–1560s)Jeff Koons, Sculptures (1980s–present)Richard Serra, Steel Sculptures and Installations (1960s–2010s)Carl Andre, Equivalent VIII (1966)Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Rooms (1965–present)Do Ho Suh, Fabric House Installations (1990s–present)Marcel Duchamp, Fountain (1917)Piero Manzoni, Artist’s Shit (1961)Yoko Ono, Cut Piece (1964)What medium surprised you the most? DM me or tag @LaCollector -- I’d love to see what caught your eye and what you’re curious to explore next.