I met Jake Valentine last year through Artist/ Musician Liz McGrath, he came to the White Trash Debutantes show at Los Globos in Hollywood and videotaped the night.... Jake who is also an Artist recently start launched a new Gallery in Taos, New Mexico with his partners called Rebel Rebel. He is bringing all sorts of fresh talent in to showcase their work. I was lucky enough to get a chance to ask Jake a few questions about the new gallery.... I hope you all enjoy...
Punk Globe: Congratulations on your new gallery that you are working with. It is called Rebel Rebel Gallery right?
Jake: Thank you so much Ginger! It is a dream come true and it is so much fun to be able to bring a fresh new space to spotlight amazing talented artists from around the world! Plus it gives me a space to show off my stuff! Lol And you’re correct, it is called Rebel Rebel Gallery inspired by the one and only David Bowie.
Punk Globe: With this new location, you are in the center of Taos, New Mexico, right? Tell us about the perks of being in Taos?
Jake: The gallery is located in the showroom of our elegant Grande Realty office, which located right in the heart of the Taos Historic District, just steps away from all the shopping, restaurants, the famous Fechin Museum, and Kit Carson Park (where we have all our big concerts & events in town). We can literally open our front door and listen to concerts going on, which also brings us amazing foot traffic as we are just steps away from the main street.
Punk Globe: What inspired you to start Rebel Rebel Gallery in Taos, NM?
Jake: Taos is all about art and culture! But for me, shows curated by Rebel Rebel Gallery have to zim zoom and book with energy & bring something different to the table. I believe that to make an impression you must stand out and do things differently. Just the concept of having a gallery space in a realty showroom is unheard of, which is innovative in that aspect. I had to think outside the box! Rebel Rebel Gallery is a concept bringing something new and fresh to Taos and giving the opportunity to not just local unrecognized talent but also artists from around the world. And It's a big plus to be able to say your artwork is showing in a hip gallery in Taos, NM!
It's so nice to be able to be the blacksheep and offer a different variety or artists and their styles.
Punk Globe: There has long been a strong scene in that area stemming back to the 80's and 90's, are you familiar with the longevity of the art scene in that area?
Jake: Taos is a famous tourist destination as well as one of the world’s biggest art meccas! I am familiar with the scene as I had to research it extensively before jumping into getting a gallery started. The scene is mostly Spanish/Mexican/Native American inspired craftsmanship of furniture, tin work and other forms of art. I decided to do something different with the gallery and focus more on International and local artists; featuring a colorful variety of lowbrow, pop surrealism, and other forms of pop modernism art. This allows me more room to play and curate fun shows and events. It also allows me to spotlight artists who do things a differently and stand out a little more bodly.
Punk Globe: Can you tell us about the history of Rebel Rebel Gallery?
Jake: I moved to Taos late summer of 2018 and we started Grand Realty with 3 of my partners (family members). When we first walked into the space, I knew instinctively that the setup was already gallery ready because of the walls and lighting. A lightbulb went on!
So with the support of my partners I started planning & curating art shows for 2019; and so far we are getting attention from artists from all over the world who want to have their works here in Taos, NM. We’re gaining momentum as we receive more press and attention not just locally but internationally. That’s a huge plus being that Taos, NM is an International tourist vacation spot. As well, Rebel Rebel Gallery will be working with some big local events and will be part of the artwalks and studio tours that go on throughout the year.
Punk Globe: What would your dream art show look like?
Jake: Bare walls. Lol I imagine the artwork just growing wings and flying off the walls. Aside from the sales aspect, I want people to have an exhilarating experience and feel part of the show. To connect with not only the aritsts featured but also with those who attend the exhibitions. It’s gotta be fun and big!
Punk Globe: How big is the gallery?
Jake: The gallery showroom is approximately 570 sq. ft. (664 sq. ft. of wall display space) & lots of awesome lighting! I am crazy meticulous about every little detail so you can only imagine how well lit it is.
Punk Globe: I know that it takes time to plan events do you have any projects that you would like to tell the readers about?
Rebel Rebel Gallery has an amazing lineup of groupshows for 2019, and we are always on the lookout for talented artists in all mediums who want to join in on the fun! I have an open call to artists who also want to have solo shows as well. Here’s a list of upcoming shows:
- Blackstars: Art Tribute To David Bowie (July 5)
- Meow Baby!: Feline Follies (Cat Art Theme Show; both 2D & art toys, July 19)
- Through The Looking Glass: Alice In Wonderland Inspired Art (Coinciding with Meow Wolf’s: Taos Vortex Weekend. August 16)
- Augment El Paso featuring augmented & interactive art (Sept 13, Coinciding with the annual The Paseo weekend)
- Mystic Visions: Photography & Art Dolls by Christy Kane (October 4)
- Frida de los Muertos: Art Tribute to Frida Kahlo inspired Day of the Dead (Nov 1)
- 3 Shades of Black: Translation through black & white art (Nov 15)
- Heavenly Creatures: Art by Jake Valentine & Special Guests (Dec 13)
Punk Globe: Do you plan on combining art with music at the gallery?
Jake: Rebel Rebel Gallery will be incorporating music into our shows for sure.
We have the perfect space to accommodate and give spotlight to talents from all walks of life and we are in talks about having a local musician do David Bowie acoustic covers for the upcoming Blackstars: Art Tribute to David Bowie. As well, I’ve asked my magically talented artist friend, Christy Kane (Singer of Hazard County Girls; Los Angeles, CA) to bring along her toy piano for her solo exhibition and play music. So, it will be fun and a dream come true as music and art are incorporated together. I am excited to see who else wants to play and do something a bit out of the norm here in Taos!
Punk Globe: Can you tell readers about past events that have happened at Rebel Rebel?
Jake: Rebel Rebel Gallery now has 2 successful shows under its belt. We had our grand opening featuring the works of Lairana, whom is a world renowned and well collected artist from Brazil. Our recent and second show was amazing and fun! The theme was, I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll; which featured artists from all over the world, giving us their take on musicians, music, and lyrics that inspire their work. It was so much fun to curate and see people’s reactions at the reception, as the works are vibrant and full of rock ‘n’ roll energy! We all had tons of fun & delicious champagne; and ended the night with dancing and amazing company as friends from out of town came in for the show and our local friends came to support Rebel Rebel Gallery! I can only imagine how much more fun our upcoming shows are going to be as the summer and tourist season begins!!!
Punk Globe: Tell us who you have teamed up with for Rebel Rebel Gallery?
Jake: I am working with Art Toy Gama Collective, which is a large international collective (based out of Spain) of artists which I have been a part of for a couple years now. We are teaming up for, Meow Baby: Feline Follies (Cat Themed 2D & Art Toys) & Through the Looking Glass: Alice In Wonderland themed art show. This event is coinciding the same weekend as Meow Wolf’s, Taos Vortex weekend; which is a weekend of music & art installations at Kit Carson Park (Aug 16th). As well I am working with my friend, Christy Kane (Hazard County Girls), whom is an amazingly talented photography & fine art doll creator (Oct 4). I am also working with Augment El Paso, who will be bringing augmented/interactive art for J. Matt Thomas’, The Paseo; which is a huge yearly event that involves sound, performances & art installations all over the Taos historic District (Sept 13 & 14). That’s what’s so thrilling for me. I love being able work with my friends and fellow artists and show off their works of art.
Punk Globe: Do you have any Internet addresses that you would like to share with the readers?
Punk Globe readers can reach Rebel Rebel Gallery at:
www.instagram.com/jakevalentine
Punk Globe: Jake, Describe yourself in three words?
Jake: I Am Driven, Ambitious, & Fun!
Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe readers?
Jake: First off, thank you so much Ginger for your friendship and this interview.
2019 is looking to be even more exciting as we move forward with all the art shows and I am always having a call for artists to join in on the fun with all our upcoming group shows.
I am look forward to having fun giving a spotlight to talented artists from all over the world right here in Taos, NM. We’re always ready to rock ‘n’ roll!!!
