Sophia Penske | Art Advisor/Curator – Kendall Conrad

aficionada

Spanish noun

a woman who is very knowledgeable about an activity, subject, or pastime. a connoisseur, expert, specialist, cognoscente, an enthusiast.


Sophia Penske | Art Advisor/Curator

Naked Toggle Thin, Artemisa Half Ring and Thin Cuff 

 

Where are you from?
Brentwood, Los Angeles

Where do you live now?
I just moved back to Los Angeles from New York!

What do you do?
I just started an art advisory/curation company called Penske Projects. We will launch in May by having a pop up gallery downtown Los Angeles.

Lifegoals?
Business wise, I would like to expand to Europe and Asia. Also, I have always dreamed of opening a vineyard, so that is definitely a goal of mine! Lastly, I would love to start a nonprofit benefiting abused women who feel as if they have no place to go, and offering them a safe environment to flee to.

 

 

Maja Hoops, Vaquera Cuff and Thin Stacking Rings 

 

Tell me more about your new business.
Prior to working on my own, I worked for a secondary market dealer in New York, which really helped me understand the art business and how the market works, but it was a much slower working environment compared to what I am doing currently. I have thought about the idea of having a permanent gallery and ultimately ruled against it as most of the work I have been doing so far has been mobile. I curated Spring Place Beverly Hills in October and have been working on building clients’ collections in places such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Cabo, and the Bahamas. I love working with young up and coming artists as we can then create something together. Although I will not begin having a permanent space, I will launch with a pop up gallery showcasing two Los Angeles based artists; the three of us are all collaborating and creating a show together!

Who is your favorite artist? Seen any great exhibits lately? Are more galleries mobilizing?
I don’t have a favorite artist, but I love abstract expressionism and surrealism. Also, I love contemporary art, and am planning a show with two LA based artists, Greg Ito and Honor Titus in May. I am going to a few art fairs this year, so will discover a vast amount of new and upcoming artists. I am particularly excited to go to Zonamaco in Mexico City, as the art scene there is supposed to be incredible and there are many rising artists based in the city! Aside from just going to the fair I am planning on going to many of the Mexico City based artists’ studios. As of now, I do not know many galleries that are mobilizing, yet I do believe that my business model will be successful!

 

 

Disco Chain III, Thin Cuff, Girona Wrist Wrap, Wrap Hoops and Oblique Pendant 


When are you the happiest?
I am the absolute happiest when I am with my family traveling somewhere far away from home!

What are your favorite places that you have travelled to?
Tokyo, St. Barths, & Tuscany.

Favorite pastimes?
Watching crime tv shows, going to the beach, going to galleries, and reading.

What are some of your favorite books/audiobooks, and films/shows?
Books: J.D. Salinger, Franny and Zooey, Haruki Murakami, 1Q84  and Lisa Scottoline, One Perfect Lie.
TV Shows : Law and Order SVU, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Big Little Lies, Curb Your Enthusiasm.

What inspires you?
My little sister, Olivia, inspires me daily to be more carefree and happy.

"“Effort equals results.” My grandfather embedded this into my mind when I was very young, and it has stuck with me 24 years later! YOU create your own happiness – I used to believe that others were the reason I was happy or upset, but then realized that my happiness and sadness are completely in my control."

  

 

 

 

Please tell me about your pets name/breed?
Piper: labradoodle, CJ: dachshund, and Ella: cavapoo.  Ella thinks Piper is her mom , they cuddle and kiss all day, everyday.  Piper thinks she is Ella’s size and tries to fit in her bed and in small spaces. They’re the cutest!

What would surprise people to know about you?
I can sing! I took lessons from the age of 4 – 19.

How do you unwind or de-stress? 
I either read, do yoga, go to the beach, or take a long nap!

Do you unplug from devices? 
I try to turn my phone off the entire day on Sundays if I have no plans.

 

 

 

 

How do you take good care of yourself? 
I love to box, do yoga, and ski. I used to take about 10-15 supplements a day but found out I didn’t need them. I used to go to a sikh who “prescribed” these supplements, yet when I went into my internist for my yearly physical I was told the supplements I was given were neither helping nor harming me. I went off the supplements the next day and felt the exact same. I do love matcha lattes and maca in smoothies though.

When do you feel your best?
I feel my best when I am with my family and when I know I am trying my hardest in whatever I am doing.

Beauty routine/skincare regime?
Anything Mario Badescu!

 

 
Thin Rounded Posts and Thick Rounded Hoops Small

 

Female hero and why?
My female heroes are my mom and my grandmother, Mommom. They both have gone through and overcome so much in life and I aspire to be like both of them one day.

 

 

Thick Rounded Cuff, Square Bangle, Double Bangle, and Cresta Cuff 

 

Bold or delicate jewelry?
Bold when I am wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and delicate with anything more than that!

What was your first KC piece?
A pair of the Pluma Hoop earrings with gold feathers hanging down from them!

What is your favorite KC item and how do you like to style it?
My favorite KC item is definitely my Thin Rounded Posts. I usually wear them both on my left ear!

What's on your Wishlist?
The drawstring bucket in black suede!

 

 

 Photos by Kendall Conrad using an iPhone X 

 

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