New Hudson Valley Art Space Branchline Opens with Indigenous Focus
The Gochman Family Collection launches a public-facing exhibition space in Katonah, New York.
1New Public Exhibition Space
Branchline, a new exhibition space for the Gochman Family Collection, has opened in Katonah, New York. Located near the local train station, the venue aims to make the collection’s 850 contemporary Indigenous works accessible to the public. Previously, these pieces were primarily housed in founder Becky Gochman’s private New York apartment.
2Strategic Location and Name
The name Branchline serves as a metaphor for both the nearby railway and the branching of trees. Directors Laura Phipps and Rachel Martin view the site as a place where paths diverge and new beginnings occur. The facility currently occupies a gray building, with plans to expand across four total structures.
3Inaugural Exhibition Line Break
The gallery’s opening show, Line Break, features 28 works by 18 Indigenous artists. Curated by Moonoka Begay and Nicole van Brugge, the exhibition explores the concept of lines as metaphors for bloodlines, borders, and horizons. It presents a diverse range of mediums, from abstract paintings to intricate, hand-strung ceramic bead installations.
4Artistic Juxtaposition and Meaning
The exhibition creates dialogues between different generations and styles of Indigenous art. For instance, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s aerial reservation map hangs near Sara Flores’s geometric Shipibo-Conibo designs. These pairings highlight how artists use visual language to map worldviews, cosmology, and political relationships, moving beyond mere formal qualities of the line itself.
5Sound and Textile Synthesis
A centerpiece of the show is Raven Chacon’s Storm Pattern, a handwoven textile accompanied by a multichannel sound piece. The work translates the erratic flight patterns of police and protest drones recorded at Standing Rock into a traditional Diné weaving structure, effectively capturing a complex historical moment through both sound and physical form.
6Embracing Architectural Rawness
The GFC is intentionally keeping parts of the space raw and experimental. The Annex, currently under construction, features exposed plywood and temporary lighting to house drawings by Shuvinai Ashoona. This approach reflects the organization’s desire to avoid becoming a traditional white-box institution, instead prioritizing flexibility and responsiveness to artist needs.
7Future Expansion and Facilities
The site will eventually encompass 10,000 square feet across four buildings. Current facilities include a three-room gallery, two bedrooms for visiting artists, and a nearly operational ceramics studio. Future plans involve a sculpture deck and a barn designed for large-scale works, creating an L-shaped plot connecting the Parkway to Katonah Avenue.
8Community and Institutional Role
Branchline aims to foster community engagement by inviting both local Katonah residents and the broader Native community into the decision-making process. By providing space for art outside conventional museum settings, the GFC seeks to turn its mission of accessibility into tangible action, supporting artists through collaborative and evolving exhibition environments.
Original article: ARTnews — New Hudson Valley Art Space Branchline Opens with Indigenous Focus