In 2005, Shawn and Andrew Hosner founded Thinkspace Projects in Los Angeles’s West Adams District before rapidly expanding its program and collaborating with numerous projects nationally and internationally. The gallery showcases the best in New Contemporary art—or lowbrow—a movement that emerged in the 1990s on the West Coast partly in response to what was seen as a “high-brow” conceptual turn on the East Coast.

The New Contemporary moment rejected what the Hosners describe as an “inaccessible garrison of ‘high culture,’” instead focusing on subjects often often overlooked in the art world like pop culture and the subcultural. The couple’s personal collection, accrued for decades, reflects a deep-seated love for the genre. Now, hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and collectibles by acclaimed artists are up for auction.

ROA, “Mouse in a Cage,” steel, ink, and acrylic on wood

In February, Shawn Hosner died from breast cancer. The “ultimate gallery mom,” as Andrew described her, she was a fierce champion of artists and viewed the gallery as a family. Unfortunately, her battle with the illness wiped out the couple’s savings, which also served as the gallery’s safety net. In an effort to stay afloat, Andrew has organized the auction as a fundraiser to continue Shawn’s vision and legacy for Thinkspace.

The auction takes place in two parts over two days: September 12 launches the main auction at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, in person, at Los Angeles Modern Auctions. On September 13, a separate online-only auction launches at 10 a.m.

If you’re in the area, you can preview the works from today through September 13. See and bid on pieces by numerous artists Colossal has featured over the years, like ROA, Kazuhito Kawai, Lisa Ericson, Banksy, En Iwamura, Brian Rochefort, and many more.

In memory of Shawn, a portion of proceeds from the auction will benefit the Keep A Breast Foundation. Bid now on LAMA’s website.

Lisa Ericson, “Safe Passage” (2018), acrylic on panel

James Cauty, “Riot Shield (Dismaland)” (2015), acrylic on polycarbonite riot shield

Pejac, “Four Bees” (2020), acrylic and oil pastel on cardboard

Hebru Brantley, “Untitled” (2020), acrylic and pastel on canvas

Kazuhito Kawai, “The Magic Mirror” (2022), glazed stoneware

Taylor Lee, “Giant Happy” (2020), glazed stoneware

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