How do contemporary artists turn memory into meaning?

In this episode of La Collector, host Mackenzie Heard interviews painter Ray Hwang about his creative process, artistic influences, and the role of personal history in contemporary painting. Based in New York, Hwang’s work blends abstraction with symbolic imagery—drawing from his upbringing, cultural identity, and everyday observations.

This conversation explores:

• The creative process behind abstract painting
• How artists develop visual language and symbolism
• The role of identity and memory in art
• Materials like joss paper and their cultural significance
• Tips for how to look at and understand contemporary art

Whether you’re new to the art world or a seasoned collector looking for their new favorite artist, this episode offers a deeper look into how artists think—and how you can engage with their work more confidently.

Follow Ray -- @rayhwangart or www.rayhwangart.com

Art history was never meant to be a list of names and dates you were supposed to memorize in tenth grade. It was always something messier, more human, and far more interesting than that.

In this episode, Mackenzie breaks down the major art movements — Neoclassicism, Impressionism, Modernism, Abstract Expressionism, Postmodernism, and Contemporary art — not as a timeline, but as a chain reaction. Because every single movement started the same way: with artists who looked at what existed and decided it wasn't enough anymore.

You'll learn why critics accidentally named Impressionism with an insult, what Picasso was actually rebelling against, why Abstract Expressionism made New York the art capital of the world, and how Warhol used consumer culture to blow up everything that came before him.

By the end, you won't just recognize these terms — you'll understand what they were fighting for. And the next time someone at a gallery says "this feels very postmodern," you'll know exactly what they mean.

This is not Art History 101. No lectures. No slides. Just the story of people who refused to repeat what came before them — and changed everything because of it.

Subscribe to La Collector wherever you listen, and follow along on Instagram (@lacollector.podcast) for gallery picks, cultural commentary, and art world insider access.

If you’ve only been to The Whitney, we need to talk.

This week, I’m sitting down with Michelle, the woman behind What’s Up in NY (@whats_up_in_ny) who's mapping the best art, talks, and cultural moments happening across New York City. We talk about:

• The best free and pay-what-you-wish museums in NYC
• The small galleries in Tribeca, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side you shouldn’t sleep on
• Why some of the most important shows aren’t the most hyped
• How to build your own taste (instead of chasing trends)
• What it really means to “get” art

Whether you live in New York or you’re visiting for the weekend, this is your insider’s guide to navigating the NYC art scene with confidence. Because art isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing what moves you.

Come for the hidden gems. Stay for the permission to trust your own eye.

And make sure you follow What's Up in NY | Substack (⁠⁠@whatsupinnythisweek), Instagram: @whats_up_in_ny