Art Talk with LA Gallery Owner Lisa Overduin

Los Angeles is such an inspiring city to live in when it comes to art. We have so many stunning museums and unique galleries, and there is street art from downtown to the beach. One of the women making the scene so interesting is gallery owner Lisa Overduin. After directing a prominent LA gallery, Lisa founded her own, Overduin & Co., in a beautiful space on Sunset Boulevard. She has wonderful taste and a carefully curated home as well. I loved hearing about how she works and what inspires her. XXJKE

Rip&Tan: What first sparked your interest in art and how did you decide to pursue a career in that world, specifically in galleries?

Lisa Overduin: My family is from The Hague, and I grew up there around incredible collections of historical art and architecture. I studied avant-garde and experimental film at UC Berkeley and many of my friends were artists and filmmakers. It’s always been what I was drawn to, but I never expected it to become a career. I organized shows for artist-run galleries while I was at Berkeley. After graduating I took a job at a gallery in LA just as a one-year break before graduate school. I quickly became the director and then a partner before leaving to start my own gallery.

Rip&Tan: For you, what is the most stimulating or exciting thing about having your own gallery? 

LO: There are so many great things about it! Working with the artists is amazing. It’s wonderful to go from talking about the ideas to seeing the work in progress in the studio, and then finally seeing it become a show at the gallery.  

Rip&Tan: Do you seek out new talent? Where do you find artists or new work to show? 

LO: I usually meet the artists I work with through friends and other artists I already know. With some historical projects I’ve done, they came out of looking through books and feeling that this would be a great thing to bring to the audience in Los Angeles. The Guy de Cointet show and performance came out of looking at one of [my boyfriend] Paul [Sietsema]’s books on Cointet and discovering the work he made while living in Los Angeles. It started a great treasure hunt finding drawings and paintings throughout the city that he traded with his dentist, landlord and lawyer. The most beautiful pieces were hiding in people’s garages for decades. It was very special to bring that work together and to place some drawings in MoMA’s collection.

Rip&Tan: How do you go about collecting art for your own home? What are some of the most meaningful pieces you own? 

LO: There are some artworks that I’m just drawn to and would like to experience every day in my home. One of my favorites is a piece by my boyfriend, Paul. It’s a deep green painting of a painter’s stir stick soaked in paint.  

Rip&Tan: What is the style of your home, and how does your art work in the space? 

LO: We live with our son, Ellsworth, in the El Royale, which is a 1929 Spanish Colonial building designed by the architect who did the Chateau Marmont. I’ve been obsessed with the building since I moved to LA. We have a collection of French and Danish modern furniture and we’ve hung some of our favorite artworks in the space. I like it when things evolve naturally over time with interiors. We moved here just before our son was born and when we brought him home from the hospital, there was little more than a sofa, bed and crib. Over time we brought in things that felt necessary and slowly it became very full!

Rip&Tan: How would you describe your home aesthetic? Are there furniture pieces or decor that have stories or are particularly special to you?

LO: People usually comment that there is a lot of black. It’s not on purpose, but just somehow turned out that way. One piece that is really special to me is our Klint sofa. Paul and I were looking through a book on Klint’s furniture and I came across a photo of this sofa and said this would be my dream sofa. Paul found one for me and worked with Klint’s granddaughter to have the special cylindrical pillows that are no longer made recreated for us from photos. We also had a hard time finding children’s furniture and I love the Jacques Adnet side table and Perriand stools Paul found for Ellsworth’s room. It wasn’t meant for children but it works perfectly!

Rip&Tan: Where do you like to shop for your home? 

LO: I love Tortoise in Venice. The Iko Iko and Building Block studio downtown is amazing. Also The Good Liver downtown is great. Otherwise we find things while traveling or small auctions here and there. I always visit March in San Francisco and Jenni Kayne in Montecito. I like it when the objects in our home are tied to memories of our travels. 

Rip&Tan: Do you like to entertain? What are the most important things to you when having people over to your house? 

LO: I love to entertain! I like to keep it casual and spontaneous. I set up our bar so you can help yourself with drinks and arrange a few different spots with assortments of snacks and larger dishes. Music, candles and flowers. I like everyone to feel relaxed and at home.  

Rip&Tan: Can you tell me about your wellness routine? 

LO: I have finally mastered my local farmers market and it has changed my life. My Sunday routine with Paul and Ellsworth includes choosing flowers and produce from the market and having fun cooking together. This is something we all look forward to now and it has made such a difference in the quality of our meals. We aim for local, organic vegetarian meals. And I’m addicted to the Brain Tonic and the Ume Kuzu drink at the Erewhon tonic bar. I’ve also starting exploring hiking trails. I used to practice yoga regularly which was amazing, but after major surgery last year, I’ve had to take a break and explore other ways of finding exercise. 

Rip&Tan: What do you do to really relax and disconnect? 

LO: We’ve been spending weekends in Ojai the last few years. It’s wonderful to spend the day swimming or hiking, and in the summer The Farmer and The Cook serve a special menu outside with different touring musicians performing each Sunday. During the week, long walks are best for me physically and mentally. I try to make time for this each day. I love to go to Malibu if I can, or Griffith Park. I’ve also become a fan of The Now for a quick massage in the middle of a hectic day. 

Rip&Tan: What is the thing that keeps you motivated to continue working in your field? 

LO: There are so many incredible people who inspire me endlessly. I was recently in Monaco for a exhibition Paul had at the Villa Paloma. One of the curators took us to visit the home of one of his friends, the granddaughter of an eccentric art collector who was a contemporary of Peggy Guggenheim. It was a seaside villa with frescos by Jean Cocteau and ceramics by Picasso. It was such an inspiration!

Photos: Brittany Wood