ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Artist Couples Reveal Studio Dynamics in Eric Firestone Gallery Exhibition

exhibition · 2026-04-22

The "Couples" exhibition at Eric Firestone Gallery in New York showcases the works of 26 artist-partners, examining material, color, and form until May 2. CULTURED magazine spoke with five pairs about their partnerships. Caitlin Lonegan and Spencer Lewis, who are based in Los Angeles, met at UCLA and work in separate studios, looking up to Charline von Heyl and Christopher Wool. In New York, Michelle Segre and Steve Dibenedetto refer to their collaboration as an "Equal Opportunity Diva House," engaging in daily discussions about their art without frequent studio visits. Trudy Benson and Russell Tyler create in neighboring studios, inspired by Josef and Anni Albers. Sahar Khoury and Alicia McCarthy from Oakland have been together for over 20 years, while Tamara Gonzales and Chris Martin have gradually relocated their studios closer. A shared theme among them is valuing personal creative spaces and steering clear of joint studios.

Key facts

  • Exhibition "Couples" features 26 artist-partners at Eric Firestone Gallery
  • Show runs through May 2 in New York
  • CULTURED magazine interviewed five featured couples about their relationships
  • Caitlin Lonegan and Spencer Lewis cite Charline von Heyl and Christopher Wool as role models
  • Michelle Segre and Steve Dibenedetto work in separate studios and talk about work daily
  • Trudy Benson and Russell Tyler paint in adjacent studios with a shared wall
  • Sahar Khoury and Alicia McCarthy have been together over 20 years with various studio arrangements
  • Tamara Gonzales and Chris Martin exhibited together in 2021 at The Pit in Los Angeles

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Eric Firestone Gallery
  • CULTURED
  • UCLA
  • Saatchi Gallery
  • The New York Times
  • The Pit

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • Los Angeles
  • California
  • Oakland
  • Atwater Village
  • San Francisco
  • 7th and Market

Sources