Quiet Welcome

From publishing pages to gallery walls, she has built Francis Gallery as a place that resists speed and spectacle. Rooted in warmth, hospitality, and conviction, her approach favors instinct over hindsight – and a belief that art is best encountered slowly, in space, and in good company.

You grew up between Korea and Canada, then co-founded Cereal before opening Francis Gallery – what pulled you toward the art world in such an intentional way?

During my time as editor of Cereal, I found myself being pulled toward covering more arts content. I adored working on artist profiles, as well as collaborating with estates, private collections, and institutions. Through that process, I received my unofficial arts education and started to enthusiastically acquire paintings, sculptures, and prints within my budget. In doing so, I realised that I wanted to start a gallery that catered to people like me and my peers – and thus, Francis was born.

“I received my unofficial arts education by living with the work.”

Was there a moment when you felt the pivot from publishing to gallerist was inevitable?

Quite the opposite. Moving from creating a narrative within the printed page to a physical, three-dimensional space felt like a leap of faith. I could never have foreseen this; it only makes sense in hindsight.

Francis Gallery has always felt like a space of calm and intimacy – what elements did you design into it to make people slow down and really look?

Many folks share this observation with me after visiting the gallery. What’s interesting is that I didn’t have the intention of making people feel calm, but if that’s the overarching feedback, then I’ll gladly accept it. What I wanted more than anything was to create a feeling of warmth, so that everyone could sense they are truly welcome. In trying to achieve this, we added subtle layers of natural materials, warmer tones (even within those white walls), and of course, seating – so people can look, feel at ease, and stay awhile.

You’ve created spaces in Bath and Los Angeles – how does each city shape the mood of its gallery?

I believe you cannot separate artwork from its environment; thus, the architecture and culture of each city inform the gallery’s programming as well as its design.

How important is hospitality – the sense of welcoming – in the way you host collectors, artists, and friends?

It’s one of the key components of what we’re trying to do at Francis – for every person we engage with to feel welcome and, hopefully, want to return.

“If I don’t want it in my own home, it doesn’t belong in the gallery.”

How do you balance showing work you personally love with work that might resonate commercially?

At the risk of sounding naive, I only show works that I unequivocally love. If I don’t wish to acquire a piece from an artist for my own home and collection, then it does not appear on our gallery walls or floors.

If you could rewrite the script of the gallery opening, what would it look like?

I wouldn’t change anything, for no reason other than that I don’t ever look back.

“Instant gratification has little place in art.”

What role do you think galleries should play in an age where people can discover and even buy art online in seconds?

Instant gratification has little place in art, and galleries – each with a distinct point of view – help you see the same artwork and artist in an entirely different context. You go for the curation and the storytelling.

Do you see Francis as a lifelong project, or do you imagine another pivot someday?

I’m a go-with-the-flow kinda gal, which is how I ended up starting a gallery after working on an independent publication for a decade – so “lifelong” isn’t really in my vocabulary. I’m happily immersed in Francis right now and reckon I will be for awhile. As for what comes next? Who knows.

Top 5 Melrose tips?

AWAN for ice cream, over on Huntley (the OG location).

Sal’s for dinner when they’re back in town during their off-season from Provincetown.

LEADAPRON for books.

Schindler House.

Further down the road is a trifecta of galleries I adore – Galerie Half, Trevor Cheney, and Seventh House.

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@francisgallery