Meet Richelle Rich | Contemporary Visual Artist

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

Hi Richelle, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?

Truth is the first principle or value that comes to mind. I am always looking for truth when I make my work. Whether its an object, a colour, a story, a material I am working with, or thought or concept that preoccupies me, I am searching for an intrinsic truth. However complex or subjective the issue I am always looking for something true. History, the facts we are fed, are written by those still here to tell the stories, those with the loudest voices, the biggest platform. In an age of misinformation and fake news, the truth of an issue in its simplest form seems imperative to me.

In my creative practice I also aim to stay true to what ever impulse moves me to create and make, to not second guess or alter direction mid process. The pursuit of truth creates a framework for everything I create.

As a kid my favorite toy was my microscope. I would accidentally crack slide after slide trying to get closer, ‘inside’ the cells. When I was a 7 or 8 years old I created an Investigative agency and asked my parents and their friends to send me on assignments to solve mysteries or research historical or archeological sites. I would file a report with them obsessively detailing every aspect. It’s how I’m working right now, repeatedly taking several hundred photographs with a macro lens for every one of the art works that I am currently creating. I want to understand them more fully. I am looking for the essential, impossible truth of each of these objects.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a British/Swiss multidisciplinary artist based in LA for the last 10 years. I’m a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London. Using video, installation, performance and photography I aim to make work the sits at the intersection of truth, trauma and transcendence. I am exploring the political, personal and cultural through the lens of the redemptive power of beauty. It’s a juggling act balancing making the work, parenting two kids and my husband traveling, but I can’t imagine my life any other way. Making work is how I make sense of the world. During lockdowns I took a year to renovate a house in a remote area of North Joshua Tree, The Art House JT @thearthousejt where I have created a domestic exhibition space and I am working towards setting up an artist residency suited to mums and families, and those with carering responsibilites. I am excited to see where this next phase of the adventure takes us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My sister just came in to LA for a week for the first time since we moved here so this is an easy one! We live on the West Side so the beach features heavily in our days, but then there’s all of the art… We love this city and there’s so much to choose from, so here goes…

My favourite gallery is Honor Fraser in Culver City, their programing is genuinely exciting and diverse, and pop into Blum which is opposite while you are there.

If you’re looking for smaller galleries with exciting emerging artists check out Emma Gray’s Five Car Garage in Santa Monica and Alice Lodge’s, The Lodge Gallery in East Hollywood

Plan a day downtown when there’s an art talk at Hauser and Wirth, see the art and eat at Manuela 901 East 3rd Street Los Angeles CA 90013 or grab coffee and the best Pie at The Pie Hole

A MUST visit downtown is Homeboys Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. They run regular tours and have a great cafe and shop. Go and support their work and come away humbled and inspired.

Take a walk downtown and check out the architecture. The flower market downtown is gorgeous too.
If you have half a day to spare squeeze in a trip to a Korean Spa in Koreatown.
We are a family of book addicts so while you’re downtown go to
The Last Bookstore
453 S Spring St – Ground Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Out two favourite book stores are on the West Side, Diesel Books in Brentwood and Zibbys on Montanna. We are crazy supporters of independent book sellers!

We love the museums in LA, The Hammer is a favourite, and LACMA, The Skirball Centre, The Museum of Tolerance, The Geffen, The Getty Centre and Villa,

You have to hike when in LA! Our favourites are the Temescal and Malibu Creek trails. Depending on the time of year there might be enough water at the top for a paddle.

I am obsessed with flea markets and furnished our home and The Art House Joshua Tree with flea market treasures. The Rose Bowl Flea Market is the best, its HUGE, if you’re not in town for the one Sunday a month its open, head to Melrose Flea open every Sunday. Go early to avoid crowds and heat and to grab the best finds!

I love a bit of cafe life, reading, writing and people watching. My local and favourite coffee spot is Rustic Coffee @rusticcoffeela a cool silver airstream 2 minutes from the beach in Canyon Square on West Channel. While you’re there visit Kurt at The Canyon Grocer @thecanyongrocer for the best cheese in LA.
Check the surf report and head out early to any of the great beaches for dawn patrol. We like the beach Santa Monica at Hollister as you can grab a great breakfast at Perrys afterwards, or head to Malibu before first light and have brunch at the cafe on the end on the pier after a surf. Always a favourite when friends visit.

The Aero Cinema on Montanna Avenue has wonderful talks with directors and film creatives before the movies.

A friend took me to Green Grass Vietnamese restaurant in Silverlake years ago and I swear its the best meal I’ve had in LA, we always go there when we are in the area.

Lastly the Hollywood Bowl is always fun but my favourite outdoor music venue is the Greek Theatre. For indoors music I like the Fonda and LA legendary venue The Troubador. Check the listings to see who’s playing.

If you want to escape the city for a weekend we love the desert and National Park in Joshua Tree and would of course recommend our airbnb and domestic exhibition space The Art House JT @thearthousejt

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a wonderful LA support team! My dear friend the actor Jeanie Lim who nominated me for this series of shoutouts and has been an incredible support since moving to LA 10 years ago @therealjeanjeanie. My husband, the musician and composer Harry Waters @harrywatersmusic has been on this mad merry go round with me for the last 20 years and deserves a shout out. I’m deeply indebted to Frank Langan @canyonsquare who recently gave me my first solo show in LA at Gallery 169 @gallery169 and to Sacha Halona Baumann @sacha_halona_baumann who is my studio manager and a brilliant artist who whipped me into shape for my solo show. I also have a great network of fellow mums juggling balancing parenting and creating to whom I am extraordinarily grateful to for their support and freindship.

Website: richellerich.com

Instagram: @richellerich

Other: vimeo : Richelle Rich

Image Credits
Rachel Larson Weaver Yan Palmer