Remembering Thinkspace Projects’ Shawn Hosner, the ‘Ultimate Gallery Mom’

Events & News Artist Profiles 2 min read

Vale, Shawn Hosner, Thinkspace Projects co-founder, music fanatic, and low-brow art lover. The “ultimate gallery mom” passed on Feb. 14, 2024, due to complications from stage four metastatic breast cancer.

“She was the yin to my yang,” says her husband and Thinkspace Projects co-founder Andrew Hosner. “She helped to curate the vision of the gallery just as much as I. Her relationships with the artists were just as important as mine. We both connected with different folks on different things, the perfect pair, and it’s hard to fathom the flow moving ahead, but we shall figure it out and use her energy and shining light as our guide.”

A CELEBRATION OF SHAWN’S LIFE takes place Saturday, Feb. 24, from 2 - 6 p.m. at Thinkspace Projects in L.A. This event is open to all, just like Shawn’s heart was. “This is not a memorial,” stresses Andrew. “This will be a party in her honor. Shawn stressed to me she wanted us happy and sharing fond memories of her, not mourning her [...] there will be an altar, so please bring something to leave and honor her by.”

At 4 p.m., there will be a special reading of Shawn’s favorite song, followed by the release of a flock of white doves to help usher her spirit away. This will all revolve around an art show that her husband, Andrew, is putting together to showcase the amazing life she led so that all may get to know her like he did. The evening’s soundtrack will be provided by Shawn, who planned for this, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes; the good grooves will be flowing.

Memorial tattoos from her good friend GoopMassta featuring her iconic tarantula tattoo, a Hello Kitty head, the Grateful Dead dancing bear, the Zoso symbol from Led Zeppelin, and a recycling symbol will be available to all who want a lasting memory from this special day.

Please consider supporting Thinkspace Projects during this difficult time with a donation to Venmo or GoFundMe. Your financial contribution will go a long way in helping the gallery honor Shawn's legacy while rebuilding their savings and organizing a new artist award with Shawn's favorite magazine, JUXTAPOZ. Any contribution, whether big or small, is greatly appreciated.

Thinkspace Projects: Website | Instagram | GoFundMe | Venmo

All photos published with permission of the artist(s).

Want to be featured on NOT REAL ART? Email editor@notrealart.com with a short introduction and a link to your online portfolio or three images of your work.

Thinkspace Projects Los Angeles art scene los angeles gallery shawn hosner andrew hosner