Marta Gallery: Los Angeles Space Blending Art and Design

Marta, a gallery located in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, was established in 2019 by co-founders Benjamin Critton and Heidi Korsavong. The gallery operates from a converted truck garage that previously served as an Echo Park studio. It functions as both a commercial venue and a community gathering place, having presented 51 exhibitions to date. Critton brings expertise in publications and typography, while Korsavong focuses on production and interior design. Their collaborative approach emphasizes deep engagement with individual artists and interdisciplinary exploration, merging artistic and design practices. The founders frequently visit the Los Angeles Flower Market for inspiration and to decorate their space. They view their role as extending beyond sales to include supporting artistic practices and providing contextual interpretation. In interviews, they expressed admiration for galleries like Nonaka-Hill and Karma in Los Angeles, and institutions such as Dia Beacon and LACMA. Their collecting interests include artists like Etel Adnan, Eva Hesse, and Donald Judd. They believe galleries should evolve toward greater specialization and cross-disciplinary collaboration, while maintaining that art fairs currently have a negative overall impact on the gallery model.