“The Indians are circling the wagon.”

“The rich buy art and keep prices inflated.”

“We’ve been sold down the river by big money.”

“The social safety net is dismantled- its a house of cards.”

Billy Shire fired off these warnings as he held court in his office at the recent Billy Shire Gallery opening reception for artists Tony Fitzpatrick and Chris Mars.

I found myself among a small, eager crowd of attractive, eclectically dressed women of varying ages vying for the attention of the  charismatic, 70’s rock n’roll/Frank Zappa/biker appeal of Billy.  He was receptive to giving an impromptu interview and I mentioned that several publications (including Juxtapoz) referred to him as the “King of Low Brow” art.  Billy corrected me that artist and Juxtapoz founder, Robert Williams, was probably the rightful heir to the title, as he had coined the phrase. Shire, king or not, has always been a visionary and often praised for his discerning eye for new talent.  His philosophy is art by the people and for the people- accessible, entertaining and mostly affordable- often dark but with a sense of humor. Billy reflected on the early 90’s tattoo and hot rod art when he felt the times changing from folk/kitsch art and started working with Art center students.  Shire credits Juxtapoz Magazine and the internet for changing things- creating a bigger collector base and influencing the kids going to art schools to include underground comics, punk music, street culture, hot rods and tattoos into self taught surrealistic pop art.  Billy paused and announced that he had decided after his lease was up in March of 2010, that he would be closing his gallery on Washington Boulevard in Culver City.

The reasons are the unfortunately familiar litany of plummeting sales (fallen off by 80% compared to sales in 2007), inflexible lease terms, increasing amounts of Shire’s own money needed to keep it going and the need for change.

Shire will be trading the 3,000 sq. ft space in Culver City for the projected expansion to 1100 sq. ft of his La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood, thereby doubling the size of the gallery which opened in 1986. The move will be a rebirth, Billy reflected. He considers it to be an entry level gallery and “will vary his palette.”  Billy paused, smiled and seemed somewhat pleased with the phrase which he elaborated on to mean show some newer artists.  La Luz Gallery will continue to have monthly shows and receives a phenomenal turn out of 5-10,000 people monthly as compared to 100 people monthly in the Culver City gallery, cites Billy. The magnet is the Soap Plant-”a gift store on steroids,” he says proudly.   La Luz Gallery is located behind Shires successful Soap Plant, which is like a museum.  Shire calls his store-”a whimsical, visual grab-bag, a department store of wildness.”  Never guilty of holding back on hyperbolic metaphors, he credits his loyal repeat customers, solvent European art patrons and the business from the store’s website keeping him going financially.  Often customers will wander on a visual stimulus high for 3-4 hours in the store.  Billy was probably the first retailer in LA to popularize the Day of the Dead and showcased a book about the unknown (at the time) Frida Kahlo.  He consciously avoided being a head shop as that was not the customer he wanted to attract.   Some of his artists are balking at the move- “not a real gallery”, but defends Billy, “its a great business model.”  Billy is a risk taking entrepreneur but understands good business practices. He does it all- no partners “don’t believe in them.”  He is the buyer, handles shipping & receiving, marketing, writes ad copy and  paused during this interview to calculate tax for an art patron making a purchase.

It was time for Billy to mingle with friends, fans and art patrons. With his signature sardonic smile, he ended the interview remarking,  “Well, I can be cynical, however its a labor of love and I am hopeful- but it seems like none of my artists get recognized.”  Judging by the enthusiastic capacity crowd that turned out in the intermittent rain, the artists are recognized by their peers and a “low brow” following which in this economy now describes most of us.

Billy Shire Fine Arts

5790 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

phone: 323-297-0600