Johnson Trading Gallery's new LA outpost

Johnson Trading Gallery has taken over part of the ground floor of the vast JF Chen building, 941 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles
Johnson Trading Gallery has taken over part of the ground floor of the vast JF Chen building, 941 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles
(Image credit: press)

A steady stream of galleries and design boutiques has been colonising Los Angeles' once seedy Hollywood district over the last few years, pushing out the porn shops and establishing the area as a new creative hub. New among them this week is an LA branch of Johnson Trading Gallery - a big player on the New York design-art scene - which has just opened on the ground floor of the vast JF Chen building, one of the largest antique and vintage furniture stores in the city.

The gallery's new LA outpost takes JF Chen into uncharted territory - this is its first substantial venture into contemporary design. The inaugural exhibition, titled Superba, is a joint proposition, showcasing the work of leading designers from the Johnson Trading Gallery stable, including Simon Hassan, Kwangho Lee, Max Lamb and ArandaLasch, alongside a ream of JF Chen designers and artists. Among the pieces, expect new amorphous 'Poly' pieces from Max lamb and more spiralling, woven lights and furniture from Kwangho Lee.

Johnson Trading Gallery was established by Paul Johnson in 2007, who honed his collector's eye while heading up Phurniture Inc, and it has quickly become one of the bastions of contemporary design in New York. Rubbing shoulders with antiques stores like Reform and

http://www.blackmancruz.com/home.php" target="_blank" >Blackman Cruz, it's set to do the same in LA.

From left: Leather vessels and chair by Simon Hassan and Baked Copper and Enamel tables, cubes and cabinet by Kwangho Lee

From left: Leather vessels and chair by Simon Hassan and Baked Copper and Enamel tables, cubes and cabinet by Kwangho Lee

(Image credit: press)

Poly Furniture by Max Lamb, 2011

Poly Furniture by Max Lamb, 2011

(Image credit: press)

From left: Leather vessels and chair by Simon Hassan and Baked Copper and Enamel tables, cubes and cabinet by Kwangho Lee

Baked Copper and Enamel Furniture by Kwangho Lee, 2010

(Image credit: press)

Poly Seating Area by Max Lamb, 2011

Poly Seating Area by Max Lamb, 2011

(Image credit: press)

Woven chandeliers by Kwangho Lee

Woven chandeliers by Kwangho Lee

(Image credit: press)

Poly chair by Max Lamb and two-part hanging light fixture by Kwangho Lee

Poly chair by Max Lamb and two-part hanging light fixture by Kwangho Lee

(Image credit: press)

Address 

Johnson Trading Gallery at JF Chen
941 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles

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Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.