April 24, 2020
Voices: Pauli Ochi of Ochi Projects, Los Angeles
An interview with Pauli Ochi, owner of Ochi Projects, based in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, California.

Pauli Ochi outside of her project space in West Adams. Image by Allie Pohl
I'm really excited to present Lilian Martinez' third solo show with the gallery this spring. She recently moved to the desert and has a larger studio. For the first time she's making several big paintings and I can't wait to share them.
I think the choice to dedicate your life to being an artist is incredibly brave. I watch the artists I work with balance day jobs and families while making sacrifices to have studio space in expensive cities and invest in the right materials, all to have their visions come to fruition.

Keep the big picture in mind and think about your career in terms of something that will unfold over a lifetime. I don't know if it's the right perspective to have, but it's also how I try to think about the gallery.
My dad, who started the original Ochi Gallery in the 1970s, has been my most significant mentor. He taught me about the importance of art, following my instincts, and how to have long term relationships with artists and collectors.

We're busy re-doing the website and about to launch "Ochi Online," which will be an online exhibition space. The first iteration will include works by Lilian Martinez, Machine and Hana Ward.
I have a small work by Devin Farrand, who we're exhibiting at Future Fair, in my living room. Its dimension and color are always different depending on how the light hits it, which makes it amazing to live with because it is never the same piece.
Ochi Projects on Future Fair Online

