The Morono Kiang Gallery opened its doors on May 19, 2007, in downtown Los Angeles. The gallery, located on the ground level of the historic Bradbury Building, has approximately 3,000 square feet of exhibition space designed by architects Earl Parson and Fernando Bracer, both graduates of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). The gallery promotes contemporary art focusing on Chinese art from the last decade and will host retrospective shows of recognized artists’ works, as well as the work of emerging artists.
The husband-and-wife team of Karon Morono and Eliot Kiang have worked with leading artists, gallerists, curators, and critics throughout China during the last six years; Morono has been involved since 2001 with the preservation of the 798 Factory Art District in Beijing. Both Morono and Kiang have been involved with art publishing in Beijing: Morono was the English editor for Beijing 798: A Study of Art, Architecture and Society in China (Timezone8 Books, 2004), while Eliot Kiang recently designed and edited photographer Mark Henley’s book China Surreal (Timezone8 Books, 2006).
Morono and Kiang plan to invite a variety of international curators to organize six exhibitions a year. In addition to these exhibitions, events will be organized in collaboration with other galleries, museums, and institutions to develop art-driven projects that will involve the local community. The vision of Morono Kiang Gallery is to make a noticeable statement in downtown Los Angeles’s art scene. With innovative concepts, a strong sense of purpose and passion for the work, and participation with other galleries, Morono Kiang Gallery will be a vital participant in building the downtown art community and reenergizing the cultural scene.
Apart from exhibiting dynamic exhibitions, the gallery owners are experienced in and continue to organize travel for discerning collectors, curators, and artists, to museums, galleries and artist's studios in China. Their distinct involvement in the art scene in Beijing and other major cities gives them the unique opportunity to put visitors in touch with the artists who are at the forefront of the contemporary Chinese art movement and to help them engage in a wide range of cross-cultural dialogues.
