
02/01/2023
THE BIG TENT SHOW collab w musuc by
Founded in Los Angeles 1994
AB Gallery is a contemporary gallery working on new art projects featuri
62 Newtown Lane
East Hampton, NY
11937
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In 1994 AB Gallery was the brainchild of artist William Quigley and collector Pamela Armstrong. Originally named Mayb Gallery, and located in a mini mall storefront on Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles. After the first group show Dan Bernier became the new director and changed the name to AB (Armstrong/Bernier). After 10 successful shows AB in 1995 was offered to move rent free into a collectors property in Hollywood on Sunset/Highland Avenue for a year. The gallery was given 6 storefronts, called AB Gallery/ Mini Mall Six, on the second floor of one of the busiest corners in LA. Bernier parted amicably to open his own space on Wilshire Blvd.
Openings were epic packed with friends and guests drinking canned beers and boxed wine. On any given day Ed Ruscha, Joe Goode, Charles Ray, John Baldessari, Robert and Susan Williams, Barry Sloane, Merry Karnowsky, Christopher Knight, Peter Frank, Paul McCarthy, Ed Moses, David Fincher, Debbie Harry, Nick Cage, Gina Gershon, Jay Chiat, Doug Christmas, Manny Silverman, Billy Idol, Matt Gleason, Allen Ruppersberg, Stephen Prina, Robert and Andrew Haag, Chris Lloyd, Paul Schimmel, Arlene Sorkin, Margo Leavin, Jim Carey, Robert Berman, Wesley Snipes, Marilyn Manson, Dr. Ken and Karl Tokita, Mike Kelley, Chris Burden, Nancy Rubins, Kim Light, Keanu Reeves, Gregory Brown, Matt Groening, Sly Stallone or David Zwirner would just pop in to see a show or attend an opening.
Like many LA galleries in the 1990s, AB became an early launching pad for several now recognized artists such as: Manuel Ocampo, Martin Kersels, Patty Wickman, Steve Hurd, Russell Crotty, Marc Chiat, John Sonsini, Paul Bridenbaugh, William Quigley, Kevin Sullivan, Bill Livingston, Gina Lamb, Toba and Rachel Khedoori, John Ivanchenko, Jason Rhoades, George Stoll, Tamara Fites, Julian Bismuth, and Mike Bouchet.
AB started as an artist run space intended on showing good work. After only a few years, it’s success eventually attracted the more prominent, established dealers. Many of the gallery’s original artists went on to work with galleries like David Zwirner, Rosamund Felsen, Hauser & Wirth, Jose Freire, Lehmann Maupin, Bess Cutler, Jack Tilton, Baldwin, Regen Projects, Mitchell Innes, Nash and Larry Gagosian.