Strategic Generosity: Collecting, Curating, and Championing Emerging Artists with Leslie Fram

In this galvanizing episode of What's My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza is joined by Leslie Fram—collector, curator, marketing strategist, MFA educator, and tireless champion of emerging talent—for a sweeping conversation that summons the urgent need for innovation as well as entrepreneurial literacy among artists today.

Fram’s multifaceted career is an exercise in forecasting trends.  Formerly a dancer with the NYC Ballet, Fram studied art at Parsons, founded a fashion design company, became the Trends Editor of Cosmopolitan, obtained an MBA from Columbia University, segued into early Internet enterprises…  and eventually arrived in Los Angeles to engage with the city’s emerging art scene.  Fram has cultivated a holistic approach to art, deploying business models from the various industries she has worked in.  Marrying aesthetics with infrastructure, community with commerce, her approach is unique.

Fram speaks candidly about the genesis of her annual MFAs of LA exhibitions, a curatorial endeavor born from her desire to showcase under-recognized artists while removing traditional barriers to entry for collectors. She shares her exhibition experiments in transparency, scale uniformity, collector-artist collaborations and her belief in art’s ability to generate new forms of economic and social engagement. Fram’s insights are consistently bracing, generous, out-of-the-box and solution-oriented.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how artists can reclaim agency in the marketplace, why building relationships is central to sustainability, and how Fram herself continues to assist emerging artists on their respective trajectories to success.  Through direct mentorship, educating with her strategic marketing workshops, sharing information as a form of gallery-whispering, and many other modes, Fram is always advocating on the artists’ behalf.

Topics covered include:

• The economics of emerging art: why size, pricing and communal experiences matter
• Institutional resistance to business education in art schools: how Fram works around it
• Collectors:  her plans to ensure new collectors enter the marketplace, offering artists more opportunities for sales; understanding that they are artists’ best supporters and how to build authentic relationships with them; perhaps, finding a different name for “collector”
• New models and formats: from artists’ managers to new apps and technologies
• The future: art sales, blockchain royalties, and the power shift away from legacy galleries systems

This episode is a masterclass in strategic vision, offered by someone who has not only built a practice around elevating others, but continues to do so with a rare mix of compassion, clarity and enthusiasm. 

Guest Leslie Fram Follow her on Instagram: @lesfram

Host Javier Proenza

Astrology, Embodiment, and the Myth of Power: A Conversation with Alystair Rogers

In this episode of What's My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza is joined by artist Alystair Rogers for a searching, radically honest exploration of transformation—personal, political, and astrological. Traversing terrains of gender, spirituality, social critique, and visual language, Rogers shares the deeply embodied trajectory that led to his MFA thesis: an immersive installation confronting capitalism, queerness, and cosmic time.

With the insight of a cultural theorist and the intuition of a mystic, Rogers recounts how early encounters with Scott Cunningham’s Solitary Practitioner and a DIY magical practice laid the groundwork for a conceptual framework rooted in astrology, myth, and critique. From testosterone therapy and shifting social legibility, to trans embodiment and the slow violence of neoliberalism, Rogers discusses the pain and revelation of becoming, with humor and precision.

Their thesis installation—centered around a reclaimed domestic space lit by planetary lamps and anchored by a satirical infomercial titled Sea World: Spiral 'Til You're Free—is a poetic and confrontational meditation on how billionaires might be coaxed into their own undoing. Through this absurdist yet sincere gesture, Rogers dissects the mythologies of power, proposing alternative logics of time, value, and being.

What emerges is a searing, wide-ranging conversation that refuses binaries—between subjectivity and objectivity, spirituality and politics, or critique and care. Rogers makes a compelling case for astrology not as superstition, but as an expansive, generational clock—a way to read time not only in hours or revolutions, but in revolts and revelations.

Topics discussed include:

• Trans identity and the phenomenology of transition

• The astrology of Pluto in Aquarius and its revolutionary implications

• Queer embodiment and the aesthetics of self-determination

• The failures of liberal institutions and the weaponization of speech

• The installation Sea World, capitalist mythology, and speculative resistance

This episode offers a rare convergence of the personal and planetary, blending social analysis with an artist’s pursuit of symbolic coherence. Rogers’s work embodies a form of queer speculative myth-making—one that critiques the world as it is while gesturing toward the one that might be.

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Guest: Alystair Rogers Instagram: @alystair.rogers

Host: Javier Proenza Podcast: What’s My Thesis? Support the show: Patreon.com/whatsmythesis Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

#queerart #transartists #astrologyart #MFAthesis #artandpolitics #plutoinaquarius #socialpractice #whatsmythesis #aly stairrogers #artpodcast #decolonizegender #anti-capitalistart

Art as Infrastructure: A Conversation on Social Practice, Community, and the Evolving Role of Nonprofit Art Spaces in Los Angeles An interview with Pranay Reddy, Director of LA Artcore

In this compelling episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza sits down with Pranay Reddy, the director of LA Artcore, for a far-reaching conversation that explores the role of nonprofit art spaces as vital community infrastructure in Los Angeles. With clarity, conviction, and deep sincerity, Reddy offers an unfiltered look at his trajectory from punk and zine culture in suburban Colorado to leading one of the city’s longest-running artist-run institutions.

The conversation traces Reddy’s early exposure to alternative music and DIY media, his education at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and the profound influence of social practice artists on his own sculptural and photographic inquiries. Through personal reflection and institutional critique, Reddy unpacks the realities of inheriting LA Artcore’s legacy and reimagining it for a new generation—one that demands transparency, inclusion, and intentional community-building.

As the city contends with stark inequalities and ongoing housing crises, Reddy’s leadership emphasizes LA Artcore’s position in a broader ecosystem of mutual aid, solidarity, and decolonial cultural work. The discussion touches on the failures of the commercial art fair model, the limitations of traditional museums, and the importance of small-scale, grassroots infrastructures in giving artists room to experiment and be seen.

Reddy shares details about LA Artcore’s upcoming programming, including:

• Naman – A self-titled exhibition by a collective of Philippine X diaspora artists, opening March 15, exploring contemporary identity, historical presence, and visibility.

• Labkhand Olfatmanesh – A powerful installation centered on grief and grounding practices.

• Teamoz – An artist whose research into panda symbolism interrogates the complexities of U.S.–China relations.

• Tokyo Exchange Exhibition – Featuring ten artists from Tokyo, reactivating LA Artcore’s longstanding commitment to international dialogue.

Through it all, Reddy reaffirms his belief that artists are conduits of the communities they live and work in—and that art, at its best, is an infrastructure for care, connection, and change.

Follow LA Artcore Instagram: @laartcore Website: laartcore.org

Follow Pranay Reddy Instagram: @p_reign

— 🎧 For early access and to support independent arts media: patreon.com/whatsmythesis

#LAArtcore #PranayReddy #SocialPracticeArt #NonprofitArtSpaces #ArtistRunInitiatives #DeColonialArt #CommunityArts #PhilippineDiasporaArt #TokyoArtExchange #WhatIsContemporaryArt #WhatsMyThesisPodcast

Spiritual Kinship, Artist-Run Futures, and Burning the Art World Down (Gently) - Cat Gunn

In this episode of What’s My Thesis, Javier Proenza welcomes Cat Gunn—artist, curator, and co-organizer of Other Places Art Fair South (OPAF South)—for a wide-ranging conversation on community, creative identity, and the radical possibilities within artist-run spaces.

Rooted in their early relationship to art and shaped by their current role in the San Diego-based initiative Harvest and Gather, the dialogue illuminates the power of collaborative curation and experimental presentation. Gunn shares the ethos behind Harvest and Gather’s programming, which includes boundary-pushing moments such as a bonfire where artwork is ceremoniously burned—a powerful gesture of impermanence, intention, and spiritual offering.

As OPAF South emerges as a new chapter of the long-running artist-run platform Other Places Art Fair, Gunn reflects on mentorship, shared resources, and the liberatory potential of decentralized arts infrastructure. With detours through magic, conceptual art, regional aesthetics, and the politics of visibility, Proenza and Gunn discuss what it means to make and sustain art outside of market logic.

Topics include:

• Cat Gunn’s transition from drawing and animation to curation and community-based practice

• The philosophy and provocations behind Harvest and Gather

• How artist-run spaces function as spiritual and political interventions

• San Diego’s evolving art ecosystem and Gunn’s collaboration with MCA on OPAF South

• Queerness, geography, and the differences between art scenes in Baltimore, Miami, L.A., and beyond

• The sustainability of DIY and underground creative labor in a post-pandemic landscape

For those compelled by the invisible architectures of care, resistance, and ritual in contemporary art, this episode offers an inspired look into what’s being built just outside the spotlight.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show on Patreon for early access and bonus content. Follow Cat Gunn and Harvest and Gather on Instagram: @harvestngather

#CatGunn #WhatsMyThesis #JavierProenza #HarvestAndGather #OPAFSouth #OtherPlacesArtFair #SanDiegoArtScene #ArtistRunSpaces #ContemporaryArt #AlternativeArt #QueerArtists #ArtPodcast #ArtWorld #ConceptualArt #SpiritualArt #ArtBurning #GrassrootsArt #CommunityArt

Artist and Fabricator Jacky Perez talks about balancing her art practice and her career as a fabricator for the entertainment and fine art industries, and why poetry and book making are important to her practice. 

Recorded at her show Theories about Edges at The Fulcrum Press, Artist Megan Muller talks about making photographic images using a flatbed scanner instead of a camera. 

Artist Soyoung Shin talks about her recent obsession with Young Adult books, and the nostalgia they bring for a time when emotions were all encompassing and hormones painted your perception reality. Filmed at Tiger Strikes Astroid Los Angeles during the Inbetween group show curated by liz Nurenberg, this conversation about teenage labido goes off the rails fast.

Art Criticism, Political Engagement, and the Role of Discontent with Elwyn Palmerton What’s My Thesis? Podcast | Hosted by Javier Proenza

In this incisive and far-ranging episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza welcomes artist and writer Elwyn Palmerton for a wide-reaching dialogue that explores the intersections of contemporary art, cultural criticism, and local political activism. From Palmerton’s formative years navigating the vibrant New York art scene of the late 1990s to his incisive voice as an art    critic today, the conversation offers a candid and layered portrait of an individual devoted to truth-telling in an increasingly performative cultural landscape.

Key Themes:

• The Making of a Critic: Palmerton recounts his early exposure to the New York gallery circuit while attending NYU, and the pivotal role that grad school writing assignments—especially on the Whitney Biennial—played in forging his critical voice.

• Criticism as Craft and Confrontation: Informed by his deep engagement with art history and frequent gallery visits, Palmerton discusses the value of clear, form-driven analysis versus vague, concept-heavy narratives. He challenges the art world’s aversion to negativity and praises figures like Sean Tatol for maintaining intellectual rigor in the space.

• Art and the Sociopolitical Landscape: The episode delves into Palmerton’s campaign work for progressive city council candidates in Los Angeles, the structural power of real estate and police unions, and the possibilities of social housing as a viable alternative to market-driven development. His experience canvassing neighborhoods offers a grassroots lens into civic life often overlooked in mainstream coverage.

• Digital Disillusionment: The conversation expands into algorithmic culture, censorship, and the numbing effects of digital discourse. Both host and guest reflect on how platforms skew public perception and dilute the impact of genuine political or artistic critique.

• The Importance of Historical Consciousness: Palmerton advocates for more historically-informed criticism, citing influences ranging from Adam Curtis documentaries to post-1945 American painting as essential in contextualizing today’s cultural output.

Quotes to Remember:

“Criticism is about unpacking the experience—describing the thing that moved you, and understanding why.” — Elwyn Palmerton

“Social media teaches us to perform like, not think critically. But criticism is how we grow.” — Javier Proenza

Where to Follow Elwyn Palmerton: Substack: Flowers Grow IRL — elwyn.substack.com Instagram: @elwynpalmerton

About the Podcast: What’s My Thesis? is a podcast that examines art, philosophy, and culture through longform, unfiltered conversations. Hosted by artist Javier Proenza, each episode challenges assumptions and invites listeners to engage deeply with creative and intellectual ideas beyond surface-level discourse.

Artist and Maiden LA Co-Founder Molly Schulman and Javier Proenza talk about how they went from relative obscurity to active members of the artist run scene in LA without having MFAs. From the Launch of Maiden LA in 2016 to the current ambitions of What's My Thesis? Javier and Molly discuss their good and bad experiences networking in the art world.

Artist, and Co Director of Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles, Carl Baratta talks about his love for the artist run side of the art world. Carl is one of five founding members of High Beams, a recurring nomadic art show that started during the pandemic and gave artist run spaces and collectives and opportunity to show work during lockdown. the next High Beams will be in Colorado.

Orange Coast College | Frank M. Doyle Pavilion | Southern California Art Scene

In this milestone episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza sits down with artist, curator, and community-builder Dakota Noot for a special conversation inside an ambitious group exhibition at the Frank M. Doyle Pavilion at Orange Coast College.

As the acting gallery director, Noot reflects on their journey from North Dakota to Southern California, exploring their evolution as both an artist and curator. The discussion unveils the complex networks that shape the region’s art scene and highlights the challenges and triumphs of curating large-scale exhibitions.

🎨 Curating at Scale – The logistics of organizing a multi-artist exhibition featuring some of the most exciting voices in contemporary art.

🚧 Art & Censorship – Noot shares their experience navigating artistic censorship in California, reflecting on how institutions handle politically charged and boundary-pushing work.

🌎 Southern California Art Networks – A deep dive into the relationships between artists across Los Angeles, San Diego, and beyond, and how these connections influence the broader art ecosystem.

🖌️ From Performance to Painting – Noot’s artistic shift from mixed-media works and large-scale cutouts to painting, influenced by Japanese cinema, body horror, and underground aesthetics.

🎙️ The Role of Podcasts in Art Documentation – How What’s My Thesis? has evolved into a living archive, capturing vital conversations with contemporary artists, curators, and thinkers.

This episode is a testament to the power of collaboration and artistic community. With over 250 episodes, What’s My Thesis? remains a crucial platform for in-depth discussions on contemporary art and culture.

📌 Follow Dakota Noot on Instagram: @DakotaNoot 📌 Support the Podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/whatsmythesis

🔹 Listen Now & Subscribe for exclusive artist interviews, curatorial insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives shaping today’s contemporary art world.

#ContemporaryArt #ArtPodcast #DakotaNoot #WhatsMyThesis #ArtCuration #SouthernCaliforniaArt #ArtistInterview #GalleryDirector #ExhibitionDesign #ArtCommunity

Artist Gerald Collins uses light and color

Artist Pilar Rius initiates a discussion about where inspiration comes from as we observe cultural differences between the French and Americans. Are Americans too positives and the French too negative? We observe the evolution of the genius as an external source of inspiration to the contemporary understanding that a person is a genius, because they have access to inspiration. we end on a fun discussion on wether the origin of inspiration is always a positive experience, or is it something that also comes from emotions like outrage? Is Javier a conspiracy theorist, or has America carceral system really that insane?

Artist and skater Hiroshi Clark stops by to discuss the streets as a multi-use space with ever changing context. Wether used as a metaphor, "I'm from the Streets," a means of transportation, a space where photographing strangers is legal, or a home for the presently unhoused, we consider streets in context of the use value these uniquely public spaces have.

Musician and Sound Engineer Ian McDaniel and I wax philosophical our favorite drug memories. We get in to all the wild, grimy shit we ALLEGEDLY did as kids, and make up all of it for street cred in the rap game.

Multidisciplinary artist Marley Starskey Butler shares his thoughts on the relationship between art practice and the unknown, sharing stories about how his trust in the process allows him to explore new ideas that may take him years to understand how they fit into his work.

The Business of Art: Building a Sustainable Market with Tyler Park Presents

In this deep dive episode of What’s My Thesis, we explore the intricate world of contemporary art galleries, artist representation, and the strategies behind building a sustainable market for emerging artists. Our guest, Tyler Park, founder of Tyler Park Presents, shares invaluable insights from his journey navigating the art world—from his early days as an artist to becoming a gallerist dedicated to elevating emerging talent.

- The Economics of the Art Market – How are prices set for emerging artists? Tyler breaks down pricing strategies, the dangers of overvaluation, and how to ensure sustainable market growth.

- The Role of Galleries in an Artist’s Career – A successful solo show isn’t just about sales. Tyler outlines three critical success factors: visibility, critical discourse, and market interest.

- Institutional Recognition vs. Commercial Success – What’s the impact of museum acquisitions on an artist’s career? How do gallery exhibitions differ from institutional recognition? We discuss how these validations contribute to long-term value.

- Building Collector Relationships – The importance of networking, collaborating with art advisors, and why transparency in the art world is crucial for long-term success.

- The Art World Behind the Scenes – What does it really take to run a gallery solo? Tyler shares the challenges of managing operations, finding the right artists, and balancing the pressures of competition and collaboration in the industry.

Whether you’re an artist looking to navigate the commercial gallery space, a collector interested in understanding how markets are made, or an art enthusiast curious about the behind-the-scenes of running a gallery, this episode is packed with expert insights.

🌐 Website: Tyler Park Presents 📸 Instagram: @tylerpark_presents

🎧 Listen Now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a 5-star review and support the podcast on Patreon for early access and exclusive content.

#ArtMarket #GalleristLife #EmergingArtists #ArtCollectors #ArtWorld #MuseumAcquisitions #TylerParkPresents #ContemporaryArt

Painter Alex Andrew Sanchez comes on the show for a post covid catch up. We talk about feigning interest in kids stuff as an artist parent, and watching the homeless encampments out side his building burn down.

Artist and poet painter Danielle Winger talks about the importance of how colors make us think and feel in the context of art making and critical media literacy.

Watch the show on youtube!

Artist Debra Broz and I think about coincidence, serendipity and fate as we explore her practice of thrifting for ceramic animal figurine , breaking them apart, and using restoration techniques to combine these fragments into seamless new adorably unholy creatures.