Meet Haleh Mashian | Artist, Founder of Mash Gallery

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haleh Mashian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haleh, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Life is all about evolution and change. Without going into the unknown, your life becomes a repetition of the old without any room for growth. I think the most important element of risk taking is that if you don’t, you end up going backwards in life. There is always room for growth and the inspiration comes from the willingness to go into the unknown. I believe that even if the known is proven to be “golden”, drop it and go after a new experience, because ultimately, as we conquer the fear of the unknown, we conquer the fear of death, which is the root of all of our fears.

I have personally experienced the profound impact of taking daring risks when I made the audacious decision to escape my country of origin. The perils of potential arrest and the uncertain consequences loomed large, but it was a matter of life or death. While such extreme risks may not be necessary in our everyday lives, they have taught me an invaluable lesson: “no risk, no glory.” Founding Mash Gallery was another significant leap into the unknown. Despite my limited understanding of the challenges that lay ahead, my intuition guided me towards the right path for my personal evolution. The journey involved substantial risks—financial, temporal, and the opportunity cost of scaling down my own artistic practice to attend to business matters. However, the rewards have been nothing short of extraordinary. Through this endeavor, I have experienced the hidden facets of my capabilities, confronted my limitations, and discovered profound joy and pride. Being engaged with the vibrant art community has proved to be a blessing that I cannot fathom having missed out on.

What should our readers know about your business?
I founded Mash Gallery in 2018 with the vision of bringing and celebrating the power of creativity in our community. My mission was to curate dynamic exhibitions that showcased a diverse range of artists, encompassing both local talents and renowned artists from Los Angeles and around the world, treating art as an intrinsic expression rather than a mere commodity.

As an artist myself, I recognize not only the exceptional technical skills but also the artist’s vibrant energy that emanates from the work. What sets Mash Gallery apart is our unwavering commitment to delivering distinctive and unpredictable exhibitions, while upholding the highest artistic standards. We challenge the conventional notion of representing a select few artists or being confined to a specific genre. Instead, we embrace the diversity and fluidity of artistic expression.

Recognizing the transformative impact of social media and direct artist engagement, I realized that the traditional gallery model no longer fulfilled my aspirations. Embracing both the tangible realm of brick and mortar as well as the boundless potential of digital marketing, Mash Gallery has woven together a seamless tapestry that merges the digital world with physical spaces. Through our thematic exhibition, we created a vibrant and immersive hub where art enthusiasts, collectors, artists, and creative souls gather to celebrate the art of living and boundless creativity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depending on what my guests’ interests are, I have a few recommendations for outdoor activities, restaurants, and place of local interests.

For an authentic Italian meal, I would recommend Locanda Portofino in Santa Monica, and make sure they try their Gnocchi Sorrentina (the best I ever had). For a delicious and more authentic Persian food, I recommend Darya Restaurant in Santa Monica (ignore the decor). For a combination of beautiful nature and dining, I would recommend Mastro’s in Malibu or Malibu Beach Inn, and of course for sushi lovers, Nobu in Malibu.

As for outdoor activities, for a nice, easy stroll, I recommend Solstice Canyon in Malibu. For a fun night, the Comedy Club in Hollywood, where with the price of a ticket, you get to laugh a lot, which is always a good idea.

As for cultural acitivities, anyone can visit us and the surrounding area since we are immersed in a vibrant tapestry of art, interior design, and fashion in the West Hollywood design district. Mash Gallery is always showcasing cool exhibitions, and with the arrival of Hauser and Wirth, the artistic landscape of West Hollywood has been invigorated, solidifying the area as an extraordinary destination for art enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to my family for their continuous support and recognition of my dedication to creativity. I would like to also thank my spiritual master teacher Dr. Michael Gottlieb whose guidance and encouragement was an integral part of my blessed journey in life.

Website: www.mashgallery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mash_gallery

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mash-gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mashgalleryla?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MashGallery/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mash-gallery-los-angeles-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mashgallery6496

Image Credits
Mash Gallery, Arpit Photos