Q: Introduce the gallery — who are you and what is the vision of your gallery for your artists? 

A: We are pleased to introduce James Bacchi Contemporary.  Celebrating forty years in the art business in New York, San Francisco and most recently Palm Springs. More than a gallery owner, James Bacchi is a curator, art consultant and collaborator. His notoriety in the art world and his continued success stems from his ability to fearlessly reinvent himself.  

 James’s vision for his latest gallery and for his outstanding roster of artists is to provide an inspired, intimate exhibition space and art consultancy where he can introduce these artists and their work to the worldwide audience of contemporary art collectors, architects and designers that converge at The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five in Palm Springs, California. 

Q: What is your background? 

A: My background incorporates many facets of the Art Business including public relations, curating exhibitions, owning galleries and corporate art consulting. Having the opportunity to delve into all these arenas has served me well Inside James Bacchi Contemporary.

Q: What is your work philosophy and how does that impact the gallery? 

A: “My work philosophy evolves around my solid relationships with the artists and collectors I work with, my art selection process, my integrity and the pure enjoyment derived from what I do. I love the art business,” says Bacchi. “Every work of art I represent, and exhibit is one I would want to include in my personal collection. I believe my passion for the work has the greatest impact on the success of James Bacchi Contemporary.”      

Q: What is your vision for the next year? Next 5 years? 

A: At 69 years young, my vision today focuses far more on the present and immediate future, unlike in the early stages of my career where I felt the importance of long-term goals and five-year plans. These days, I’m all about being fully committed with no commitment. Strange as it sounds, it offers tremendous freedom, satisfies my desire for short term results, and leaves me open to all the possibilities. 

For example, finally, after all these years in the business I recently enjoyed my first sold out exhibition with master printmaker, Eric Rewitzer. The show, MCM Monsters, not only sold out but presented me the opportunity to orchestrate five commissions with the artist for collectors. The exhibition generated tremendous media attention including NBC-TV. From planning the exhibition to delivering the last commissioned work took all of six months.  

Next year will feature a sequel to MCM Monsters opening in February 2025 in conjunction with Modernism Week in Palm Springs. Until then, I am curating Group Exhibitions and Pop Ups, spotlighting works by JBC represented artists. This allows me creativity and the opportunity to constantly rotate inventory and most importantly, place the work.  

Collaborators James Bacchi and Susaye Greene discussing their latest project, Meta Contemporary, over lunch at the Casa Del Mar Hotel in Santa Monica, CA. My vision also includes more collaborations. I am currently collaborating with artist, singer, songwriter, Susaye Greene, aka The Last Supreme, on Meta Contemporary.  This gallery/auction platform, located in the Metaverse, will feature events and exhibitions with an auction component designed to benefit various arts related organizations. We are beyond excited by this project. Please stay tuned.       

Q: What artist(s) inspire you? 

A: In addition to the artists I represent, I do have a bucket list of artists that inspire me.  Presently, they include Timothy Cummings, Donld Roller Wilson, Simen Yohan, Banksy, Yoshitomo Nara, and Anthony James.  I recently caught David Hockney’s Drawing From Life exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. It was awe inspiring! 

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received? 

A: The best advice I received came from a colleague, art collector, and dear friend.  Years ago, I recall discussing some aspects of my business I wasn’t pleased with.  Her response, “If it’s not working, change it!”  That advise has very much become my life mantra. Thank you, Paula Davidsen.    

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?   

A: The only place you can count on finding me is in the pool every morning at 7:00am.  Aside from that, anywhere that offers great art, live music, theater, dance, or good Chinese food — I’m there! 

See more at www.jamesbacchicontemporary.com 

Photos all courtesy of James Bacchi Contemporary. 

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A: I opened Jen Tough Gallery in the Bay Area of California in February 2017. We moved to Santa Fe, NM a month before the Covid shutdown, and unfortunately, the gallery was never able to open. Fast forward two years, and we’re now remodeling our new space in Santa Fe, with an expected opening in the spring of 2023! 

We are thrilled to be running a new artist-focused business called AIR Studios (“AIR” stands for Artists in Residence) which are artist studio rentals by the week, with open studios each and every weekend. We were inspired by the origins of Canyon Road (the famous art gallery area of Santa Fe), which was created by dozens of artists opening their studios to the public. We believe that the future of art selling is changing to a more artist-centered model, and we want to help facilitate that with AIR Studios, where artists can meet and sell directly to the public. Our new building will also feature four exhibition spaces for Jen Tough Gallery, a sculpture garden, and more. We cannot wait for this new chapter!

Q: What is your background?

A: I was part of a very liberal, academic-focused family in a conservative area of Ohio, which helped me live up to my last name. I lived in Scotland as a kid, in Colorado for a bit to be a ski bum, and moved to Los Angeles in the early 90s. I have a BFA (general fine arts) from Ohio State University, attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati for foundation work and Parsons / The New School for study in West Africa. I am the former art director for Urban Outfitters, Warner Bros Records, and numerous magazines. My clients included a variety of creative work for Drew Carey and several years in branding and design for Nike.

Q: What is your work philosophy and how does that impact the gallery?

A: I am extremely work-focused and genuinely love working. I enjoy creating new things, working with artists, and watching them succeed. I’m not a big fan of the current gallery system with the top-tier mega galleries shutting out the vast majority of artists, dealers, and buyers, with only 1% being able to take part. Most of the money and authority have now stagnated at the top, leaving new talent shut out. I just can’t see this as being a good thing for society in the general long term. I believe that the time is right for artists to take back the selling and exhibiting process, and I hope that AIR Studios can help facilitate that by giving artists a beautiful place to create and show their work to the public.

Q: What artists and art styles do you represent?

A: I have a wide variety of art and artists that I exhibit and represent, from abstract expressionists like Sarah Boyts Yoder to photo collage work by Liz Steketee, to quirky drawings by Laura Klopfenstein. I like to have a diverse roster from artists all over the US.

Q: What artist(s) inspire you?

A: I’m always inspired by artists who persevere and keep working despite the enormous barriers now present, especially for emerging or “re-emerging” older artists. I also have art crushes on Robert Gober, Mark Bradford, Diane Arbus, Banksy, Amy Sherald, Joseph Beuys, Robert Motherwell and Jenny Holzer… too many to list!

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

A: I’ve received so much incredible wisdom from my dear friend Drew Carey over the years. Namely, stay optimistic, work hard and don’t look for shortcuts, and always be kind.

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?

A: At an art event or museum, trying to grow things in NM soil, reading, exploring New Mexico, or hiking in gorgeous Santa Fe with my two dogs, daughter and husband.

Q: What does exhibiting at Red Dot Miami 2022 mean to you?

A: I’m super excited about this year’s Red Dot! After two years of shutdowns and limited travel, I think this fair is going to be incredible! I love exhibiting with Redwood Art Group because they are in my opinion, the most artist and gallery-friendly group running fairs today. I cannot wait!

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