In a continuation of our community spotlight series, Abigail Ogilvy Gallery is proud to work alongside Ibrahim Ali-Salaam.

When it comes to delivering artwork to local collectors, installing our rotating exhibitions, or assisting us with the behind-the-scenes tasks, we have repeatedly turned to two incredible freelance art handlers: Jonathan Stangroom and Ibrahim Ali-Salaam. Today we will highlight Ibrahim, who has worked with us for a number of years and has become one of our close colleagues.

Ibrahim in his studio (image courtesy of the artist).

What does your day-to-day look like when handling your own business?

I am ready at a moment's notice if a job comes through or I am installing/delivering amazing pieces of art, meeting interesting people, working in beautiful places, and quietly being inspired by the artwork collections.

What is your favorite thing about the Boston art scene?

I like that the Boston art scene is small, I know everyone, and it's nice being with friends. I like to see friends getting the recognition they deserve.

If you could give advice to someone looking to work with an art handler, what would it be?

Express your desired look and I will collaborate with you from a technical and design perspective to be open to your visions and offer other ideas to give you the look you desire.

Ibrahim Ali-Salaam, *Beautiful Little Monster #5.*

We know family is important to you - how does your son inspire you and your own personal art practice?

My art is family oriented whether it's through work with my son or about my family. My son isn't tainted by the world, he draws what he wants, it really raw, which in turn loosens me up

What do you do for fun?

Spending time with my son playing soccer, going to the skate park, and being silly together. When I am on my own I like to spend time in my studio or going to museums.

Thank you Ibrahim for being such an important part of our gallery team! Looking to hire an art installer?
Here is how to get in touch: Nova Art Handling

We always feel so lucky to be part of the art scene in Boston. The city is simultaneously intimate and large enough that there are always new things happening, and the community is no different. As a small business in this particular art scene, we often rely on a network of people outside of our immediate team to collaborate on projects and produce exciting new exhibitions.

When it comes to delivering artwork to local collectors, installing our rotating exhibitions, or assisting us with the behind-the-scenes tasks, we have repeatedly turned to two incredible freelance art handlers: Jonathan Stangroom and Ibrahim Ali-Salaam. Today we will highlight Jonathan, who I personally met through my mentor Meredyth Moses, she too worked with Jonathan during her time as a gallerist. We often get compliments about our beautiful white walls - Jonathan and his team painted the gallery when it was first built!

Abigail Ogilvy: How did you come to be an art handler?

Jonathan in his studio (Image courtesy of the artist).

Jonathan Stangroom: In the mid-eighties I had been painting houses. I had friends with gallery representation and they recommended me for installing their work.

I got invited back to install for other artists. I figured it was fairly clean way to make a living and the gallerists would see me regularly and might consider seeing and showing my work. (That's sort of worked over the years.)

AO: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

JS: It's always nice to hang a show of good work. The galleries that I work for have terrific artists. My corporate clients have good, solid collections. My residential clients can occasionally have a surprise or two.

AO: What is your favorite piece of art that you've handled?

JS: A good question. I'm looking at the back of the artwork most of the time. This past year I moved a large collection of "Outsider" art for a friend's parents. There were several gems in that. (I'm a fan of "Outsider" art.)

AO: Can you talk a little more about your own personal art practice?

Jonathan Stangroom, *Little Hotel on the Prairie,* 2018. Oil on wood, tree cross section. 14 x 9 in.

JS: I'm a painter and a mail artist. Painter is easy. I paint stylized landscapes. Taking notes from "Rocky and Bullwinkle"/"Dudley Do-Right" and other cartoons. Monopoly houses populate these landscapes. Mail Artist is a bit more difficult. At present my everyday project is to send a post card documenting the change that I've found. The postcards are rubber-stamped and sent daily, (inspired by On Kawara who sent postcards documenting when he woke up). I have a list of about 200 correspondents who I send to in rotation. In the past I made direct image photocopies (putting objects on the platen, sometimes manipulating them during the copying process. I had a show of them in Hungary about 1992, we had a copier at the opening and copied everybody and everything in the place.

AO: What artists inspire you in your own artistic practice?

JS: I've already mentioned On Kawara. I love Indian miniatures, (I lived in India for a year in the 80's). As I said earlier, I'm a fan of "Outsider Art". "The Group of Seven" and Greg Curnoe from Canada are favorites. Philip Guston, William T. Wiley, Jim Nutt and all of the Chicago Imagists, H.C. Westermann (primarily a sculptor but I love the work), Fluxus artists. I look a lot. I paint like none of these.

AO: What do you do for fun?

JS: Oh boy... I've been known to enjoy a pint of Guinness at the Plough & Stars in Cambridge. I like BritComs and Melissa and I binge watch old series. I don't eat much, but like to eat well, (we cook). When I travel I visit museums. I like to walk.

Thank you Jonathan for being a part of our gallery team for almost seven years now! Looking to hire an art installer? Here is how to get in touch: jstangroom@aol.com

Check back soon for a feature on Ibrahim Ali-Salaam.