Meet Carl Hopgood, who moved to Los Angeles from London seven years ago to further his art career.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
Sunday roasts….but not much else
After living in London for twenty years it was time for a change! I had watched a documentary about David Hockney living in Los Angeles and the sense of freedom he felt had inspired me, too. The beautiful coastline reminded of my childhood growing up in Tenby, West Wales where the poet Dylan Thomas was born. It’s sunny atmosphere was such a stark contrast from the gloomy weather of the UK and the anxiety and depression that I experienced from that. I knew it would be good for both my mental health and my creativity. I had heard about the growing art scene and big collectors in California such as Chara Schreyer and Beth De Woody and museums including LACMA and The Broad. I wanted to work in other mediums as well as the film video sculptures that I was known for and started working in Neon and have the freedom to explore this without the constraints that I felt London had.
What do you miss most from home?
I miss my family and friends the most and Sunday roasts! I try to go back and visit at least 3 times a year to see my nearest and dearest and also to visit new art exhibitions, curators and The Groucho Club!
Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport was a tearful event… This was the first time I had ever travelled alone although my Dog Pippa was traveling on a different flight so we would be reunited after ten hours! My friend Nadine Coyle was living here at the time and she came to pick me up at the airport -we drove to Huntington Beach, where she and her family lived. Its long beach felt like home as it allowed dogs to run free on the sand.
What do you find is the biggest difference between living here and your hometown?
There are so many differences between living here and Cardiff, where I grew up. The city is so big, so many different places to explore and activities to enjoy, from surfing to hiking and watching movies in the open air! But you definitely need to drive. The food is also amazing, just so many options from street food to fine dining. The art scene is also exploding with many important galleries from Hauser and Wirth to Gagosian and Museums like The Broad and The Hammer.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
One of my favorite hidden gems is the Miracle Mile area where the LACMA Museum and The Academy Museum are. The area used to be run down but it is now a hotbed for art and culture. I love Fanny’s, the restaurant and café which is part of the Academy Museum.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
If you are considering moving here I would say it’s an expensive city and most people have to start from scratch no matter how well established they are in the UK. So make sure you have other ways to earn money, especially if you are freelance. I also work as a set designer and prop stylist, which really helped in the early days.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I am currently being featured in a documentary about myself and my work, which shows my journey from the UK and documenting my flourishing art career. The director Kate Rees Davis (a fellow Brit) has set up a crowdfunding page to help finish the project so if you would like to help make this happen please take a look and donate at: https://tinyurl.com/558a5e5t
I am also in an exhibition that opens at The Bunker Art Space in West Palm Beach on December 3rd and runs for 6 months.
IG @carlhopgood
Website carlhopgood.com
