Founded by filmmaker Sophie Chahinian, The Artist Profile Archive is a collection of short-form documentary films featuring some of today’s foremost contemporary artists. With multimedia content including original biographies, behind-the-scenes and exhibition photos and sound clips, each profile page explores the artist’s background, inspiration, process and evolution in their own words. Filmed at the artist's studio, gallery, or museum exhibition, each TAPA profile is an invaluable educational resource and serves as an historical record, offering the viewer an invitation to directly experience the artist’s voice and the transformative power of art.
In addition to continually adding new artists to the archive, we produce live events to launch new profiles, including film screenings and panel discussions, providing a rare opportunity to engage with the artists and our team in person.
THE TEAM
SOPHIE CHAHINIAN
Born in Los Angeles, the founding producer and director of The Artist Profile Archive, Sophie Chahinian, developed an interest in independent filmmaking as both a producer and actor after receiving a B.A. in Philosophy from Occidental College. Working closely with the Light and Space artist, Eric Orr, she became acquainted with some of Southern California’s most significant artists including Ed Moses, Larry Bell, and Robert Irwin. Seeking to deepen her education, Chahinian moved to England where she attended Sotheby’s Institute of Art London, earning an M.A. in Contemporary Art from the University of Manchester. There, the exposure to academic texts and historic literature would refresh her memories of hearing artists in their own voices. Fortified by her considerable film experience, formal education, and unique perspective, she began creating intimate video portraits of contemporary artists, now known as The Artist Profile Archive.
By sharing these films of working artists as they reflect on their personal backgrounds, creative challenges, and sources of inspiration, Sophie hopes to illuminate the capacity of visual art to unite a broader community and connect people through our shared human experiences.
MATT HINDRA
Matthew Hindra is a filmmaker, director of photography, editor, and producer based in East Hampton, NY. Matt attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, studying TV/Film/Radio Production. He began his career as a cameraman for New York 1 News, and he now has over 30 years of experience in production. Matt has filmed, edited and co-produced numerous documentaries such as The Last Fix - an Addict's Passage from Hell to Hope, The Empty Chair, winner of the Thurgood Marshall Broadcast Journalism Award, and Welcome to Soldier Ride, which premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival in 2014.
Matt has been working with The Artist Profile Archive since 2013, when he filmed and edited the Chuck Close profile. Since then he has collaborated with Sophie on a multitude of profiles as well as shot and edited The Making of Shirin Neshat’s Land of Dreams, first screened at The Broad Museum in Los Angeles in 2019.
SIMONA BALIAN
Based in Los Angeles, Simona Balian is an art director and social media content creator with over 20 years of visual creative experience. She received her B.A. in Art at California State University, Los Angeles, then embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer. Through her love of fine art, Simona has worked as assistant curator at an underground art gallery, research assistant for The Honolulu Museum of Art, and as a creative asset in the marketing and advertising industry. Her diverse experience has included heading the art department of a casino, designing campaigns for hospitals, and working closely with party planners, and curating vintage clothing. Simona’s role at The Artist Profile Archive involves creative direction, social media, and events management.
ERIC GLANDBARD
With an extensive background in media production, web development, and education, Eric Glandbard offers years of experience and insight in the field. As the owner of a web development and media production company, he has shot and edited hundreds of programs in all genres and developed dozens of websites. Eric is a former Station Manager and Executive Director of Local TV Inc., a media center in East Hampton, NY, where he built studios and edit rooms and taught classes in video production for members of the community. Many of these students became active video producers, who then created programing which was cablecast to the community.
Eric taught for several years at Stony Brook University School of Journalism, and has taught courses in video production in association with New York University, Southampton College, Amagansett Applied Arts, and other venues in New York. Eric’s career also includes a role as Chief Technical Officer at EyecandyTV, a pioneering video streaming company; Head of Operations and Production at WVVH-TV; staff engineer at Broadway Video, NY, NY; lots of adventures as producer, director, editor, audio/video/computer engineer and coffee-boy. He is also a good hand on a sailboat.
