An exhibition titled “We Are Stardust” might conjure images of far-off galaxies. But Luna Rienne Gallery co-owner Olivia Ongpin says the name has more to do with themes of “interconnectedness,” which explains why paintings of familiar Mission District intersections and the San Francisco skyline are among the highlights of the show, which runs through Dec. 31.
A group exhibition featuring nine mostly local visual artists, “We Are Stardust” includes work from “heavy hitters,” says Ongpin, including Ursula X. Young, Alec Huxley, Chris Stokes, Daniel Chen, Anthony Holdsworth, Beryl Landau, J.L. King and Michael Moncibaiz. Holdsworth and Landau have lived in or near the Mission since the ‘80s; others have had studios in the area in the past, and maintain ties to the district. The show also marks the gallery debut of Emily Fromm, who recently finished a mosaic at the Harvey Milk Terminal at SFO and has murals in the Outer Sunset. All will be on view at the gallery’s holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 14, and their pop-up market on Dec. 15.
Walking through the exhibit, Ongpin points out a series of plein-air paintings of Mission District corners from Holdsworth, who’s originally from England.
“He’s got a bike, and basically an art studio that he bikes around (with), and then he’ll just set up an easel and paint plein air all over the Mission,” she says. “I think he’s trying to start focusing more on studio work, so a lot of these paintings are probably going to become more scarce than they have in the past. All that to say, get them while you can!”
Ursula X. Young’s lush cityscapes are closely associated with the gallery; you’ll see her work on the permanent walls and floors as you walk into the space, as well as all over town.
“Hands down, Olivia has probably been the most important and most pivotal person in my artistic career,” says Young, who has had seven solo shows at the gallery. She also works with Ongpin on larger commissions, such as a mural on Ames Alley and an 18-foot painting that hangs at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco.
Young says the current show is a great representation of Ongpin’s point of view, which the artist describes as “never too serious, often brightly colored, low-brow SF-centric art with a focus on contemporary realism, tongue-in-cheek surrealism, street art and urban abstraction.” Above all, she praises Ongpin for being a connector of people.
“She is such a personality. Everyone knows her; she loves people and she brings them together in a way that makes them welcome,” she says. “I remember painting the wooden gallery walls with some of my art heroes and friends: Damon Soule, Ferris Plock, Brian Barneclo, Sirron Norris and Nomzee … from that point on, it seemed this was going to be not only a hub for showing artists’ work, but a place to gather together, meet and collaborate. It was something I had always craved. The Mission has always had an art scene, and (the gallery) grew with it.”
Indeed, the accessible gallery has a long history on 22nd Street: Olivia Ongpin and Anthony Quintal first opened it in January 2006 under the name Fabric8. In 2009, they started Street Food Fridays at the gallery to offer space and community to the then-burgeoning underground food-cart scene; many of the chefs who participated have gone on to open more above-board restaurants or food trucks. The outdoor parklet opened in 2011 and has undergone several iterations, all designed by artist friends.
In March 2013, Fabric8 became Luna Rienne Gallery, named for their now 12-year-old daughter, whose new craft company will be among those tabling at the gallery’s holiday pop-up market.
Ongpin estimates that the gallery has hosted around 150 exhibits in total. “We Are Stardust” opened in November and runs much longer than their typical five weeks.
“I wanted to do a show that ran for two months, just to let people get a chance to see it,” she says, adding that she wants to help more people “go out and enjoy all of the amazing cultural things that are happening in San Francisco.”
“We Are Stardust” runs through Dec. 31 at Luna Rienne Gallery, 3318 22nd St. The gallery will host a holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m., and a pop-up craft market Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, visit the gallery on Instagram.