Voices: Sam Trioli, Launch F18, New York
SAM TRIOLI
Sam Trioli is the owner of Launch F18, located in Tribeca, New York City.
Sam Trioli (left) with artist Tommy Kha (right) at Launch F18 in 2015 for Nathan Dilworth’s solo exhibition. Photo by Jamie Martinez
What are some common themes in your program?
For us, we love creating a unique experience when coming in to the gallery, discovering and working with young emerging artists, and making art approachable and accessible for as many people as we can.
Who is the artist in your program that you have worked with the longest? How did that relationship begin?
The majority of our artists have been with us since we first launched our roster around 2012, which includes Nathan Dilworth, Andrej Dubravsky, Frankie Rice, Erika Mahr and Bradford Willingham. Our relationship with all of these artists grew rather naturally. Starting with studio visits, group or solo shows, and then before we knew it we were working on projects and plans for things months down the line. They've been a truly remarkable group of people to work with, who play such an important role in where we are today.
Tell us about one show you are excited to present in your gallery this spring.
Our spring lineup includes the first US solo exhibition by Amsterdam based artist B.D. Graft. It's a bright, playful and vibrant exhibition of drawings and paintings that exudes these incredibly positive notes of life and love.
Who was the last artist who’s studio you visited? Tell us a bit about the work.
We recently visited the studios of painters, and husband and wife team, Sebastian Blanck and Isca Greenfield-Sanders. Both had remarkable bodies of work that they've been developing for some time now. The colors from both of their drawings and paintings were so warm and exciting that even though we visited in the dead of winter, you couldn't help but feel the warmth of some summer sun.
What is it about artists that you respect and honor the most?
Artists are doers, makers and creators. They can learn and do almost anything because they're always challenging themselves to grow and develop more. I think they have such a vast ability to learn and problem solve that there's always something else out there for them to experience and challenge themselves with.
Who was the first artist you ever worked with? Tell us a bit about that story.
The first artist we ever worked with was Andrej Dubravsky. Tim Donovan (our business parter) found his work online and travelled to visit him at art school in Slovakia. He was so excited he bought work from him then and there, and Andrej was in several of the initial shows here at the gallery. Seeing Andrej's career grow and develop was an unbelievable experience, he's one of the hardest working artists we've ever met and so deeply dedicated to his craft.
What is a piece of advice you give to artists?
Stay true to yourself and you as an artist.
Nathan Dilworth, 2019, Courtesy of Launch F18
What qualities do you look for in an artist?
We always look at how dedicated they are to their work, how much they're willing to challenge themselves, and what their longterm vision is.
Name an artist you don't represent that are particularly drawn to and why.
So many! Painter, Rachael Tarravechia is a young artists based in Greenpoint that we've truly enjoyed watching and seeing grow. She's so ambitious and her compositions and technical skills just keep developing more and more with each new piece.
Tell us about why you decided to open a gallery.
We love the experience that a great exhibition can create. The energy of an audience, bringing people together, introducing art to new audiences and supporting those artists as much as we can are a few of the many things that we absolutely love about running a gallery. It can provide so much to so many people.
What is your personal or professional motto?
We love to pump each other up around here, so often times we all start the day with an all caps, "LET'S GO!" We're all about that big positive energy.
Why are you passionate about art?
A truly great piece of art can change someones life. To be able to contribute to art history in any sort of way is an incredible privilege, and having that opportunity to do so is easy to find passion within.
How have you grown as a dealer over the years?
Each and every day we try to find new ways to improve upon the things we do, I'd like to think that over the years we've been able to create an incredibly efficient system which provides more time and opportunities for our artists, and a wonderful experience for our supporters and clients.
Nathan Dilworth, 2020, Courtesy of Launch F18
Tell us about a mentor you had early on in your career and what they taught you.
Kent Devereaux - he was one of the most complex thinkers I've ever met and truly taught me the power of communication and the ability that art has to transform a community.
What are you busy working on right now?
We have a very exciting summer group exhibition that opens in June, and are working on our exhibition calendar for 2021.
What is the best piece of business advice you were given when you first started out?
It's a marathon not a sprint.
At what point in your life did you first learn about the art industry? What called you to it?
I first learned of the art industry in high school with the help and support of my parents. It was truly amazing, that energy and excitement was invigorating and instantly I was hooked... this world that I had just seen was exactly where I wanted to be.
What is your favorite thing about your gallery space?
We're able to completely transform our space with each exhibition. I love it when people come in and say, "the gallery looks so different!" That unique experience that people have truly means a lot to us.
Name a person in the art industry that you admire or look up to and why.
Stefania Bortolami. I think the program that she's built, including Artist/City, the early move to Tribeca and the ambition to do something beyond just selling art proves she's a historical figure in the art world.
What is the most important quality you look for in a patron of the gallery and your artists?
We love learning the stories of how collectors got into first buying art. Whether it was from growing up around art, to sharing collecting experiences as a young couple. It means something different to everyone and learning why they're passionate about it truly makes it a special experience for us too.
What do you think is the greatest challenge galleries face today? How are you addressing this?
I think the greatest challenge continues to be overhead expenses for mid level programs.
How can galleries collectively advance?
I think there are a lot of opportunities for galleries to collaborate and logistically work together. By teaming up in these new ways it allows for programs to be more resourceful and not loose control of budgets and expenses.
How do you see the traditional gallery model evolving as our industry evolves?
I think there were be unique opportunities for programs or galleries of all levels. It's hard to really say, but I predict that platforms will be available for people to connect with audiences in ways we've never seen, which could really effect the course of art history, if it hasn't already.
What would a more sustainable art industry look like?
I'd like to think that there would be a remarkable economic impact, that would extend beyond just cities and to people all over the world.
Name a gallery that you admire and why.
Night Gallery in Los Angeles - such a remarkable program presenting stunning and ambitious exhibitions with a remarkable selection of artists and works.
Nathan Dilworth, Details of recent paintings 2020, Courtesy of Launch F18