Emilia Yin’s visionary gallery, Make Room, is redefining the Los Angeles art scene by prioritizing artistic evolution over market trends, and fostering a cultural platform for ideas and exchange.
As the founder and director of Make Room, Los Angeles, Emilia Yin has established herself as a leading figure in the contemporary art world. With her gallery redefining the cultural landscape of Los Angeles, ‘Yin is prioritizing artist evolution over market moments.’
Emilia Yin is a Chinese-American artist known for her vibrant and intricate paintings.
Born in 1984, she began drawing at a young age and went on to study fine art at the University of California, Berkeley.
Her work often features fantastical creatures and landscapes, blending traditional Chinese motifs with modern techniques.
Yin's art has been exhibited globally, including shows in China, the US, and Europe.
A Gallery Redefining the Art World
Founded in 2018, Make Room has quickly earned a reputation for its diverse international program and sharp talent scouting. Yin’s vision for the gallery is centered around providing a platform for underrepresented voices, particularly women artists and Asian diasporic artists. ‘This approach has allowed her to create a unique space where emerging talent can build their careers and establish themselves in the art world.’
A Curatorial Approach Driven by Vision and Intuition
Yin’s curatorial approach is driven by both vision and intuition. She seeks out artists whose work demands to be showcased, often feeling an inevitability about their creations. ‘This approach has led to the discovery of talented artists such as Guimi You, Jacopo Pagin, Sun Woo, and Xin Liu, who have gone on to achieve significant success in the art world.’
A Gallery that Fosters Cultural Dialogue
Make Room’s mission extends beyond exhibitions, transactions, and sales. The gallery aims to serve as a cultural platform for ideas and exchange, connecting different groups of people, ideas, and perspectives. ‘This approach has resulted in ambitious exhibitions that showcase the work of emerging artists and foster cultural dialogue.’
A Commitment to Long-Term Artist Development
Yin’s commitment to long-term artist development is instrumental in boosting the career trajectories of her artists. By focusing on curatorial integrity and strategic expansion, Make Room avoids the art-as-stock-market mentality, instead attracting collectors and institutions that value artistic vision and cultural significance.
Navigating Global Art Markets
As a gallerist working at the convergence of Asian and Western art markets, ‘Yin is acutely aware of the need for cultural exchange.’ She believes that the demand for cross-border dialogue in the arts is too strong for political barriers to halt it completely. Make Room exists at this intersection, facilitating exchange between artists from different regions.
A Global Perspective
The gallery operates on a global perspective, with a focus on emerging talent from historically overlooked regions such as Latin America and Southeast Asia. ‘Recent biennials have contributed to the shift in how artists from these regions are perceived, and Make Room is at the forefront of this movement.’
A City of Contrasts: Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city of contradictions and possibilities, according to Yin. It lacks the rigid structure of New York or the historical weight of European art capitals, making it an exciting place for artists to take risks. ‘As the city evolves into a fertile international art hub, Make Room will continue to play a vital role in fostering cultural dialogue.’
Los Angeles is a major city in Southern California, USA.
With a population of over 4 million people, it is the second-most populous city in the United States after New York City.
LA is known for its Mediterranean climate, beaches, and mountains.
The city is home to Hollywood, the global center of the film and television industry.
Los Angeles is also a major economic hub, with a diverse economy driven by industries such as technology, healthcare, and international trade.
A Convergence of Artistic and Cultural Exchanges
Yin’s vision for Make Room is centered around the convergence of artistic and cultural exchanges between Asia and the West. By facilitating this exchange, the gallery aims to create a more inclusive and diverse art world that values global perspectives.
