to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
We've decided to get to know some of our local business partners a bit better - and today we speak to Katherine Richards from Katherine Richards Art Gallery...
Who am I and what do I do?
I’m a creative right through to my soul. In my roles as interior designer, artist and art gallery curator, I enjoy pushing boundaries and am passionate about colour, texture and form, shadow and light. I’ve had a long career in the creative arts, including theatre stage design in London. I’m a free thinker where design is concerned and don’t believe in following ‘rules’. If it works, it works!
I love meeting people and hearing their stories. Their homes are my business and I have been working as an interior designer for many years.I recently opened an art gallery in Hove and in doing so have created a hybrid business, combining my interior design work with interesting contemporary art. I have designed the gallery with minimal interior settings, contextualising the artworks, which helps collectors visualise their choices.
I’m having great fun choosing both local and international artists and have discovered that imaginative curation is something I absolutely love! I’ve also created a range of unique ‘statement piece’ sculptural lamps which combine drama and playfulness, influenced by my theatre work, now available in the gallery. I will be changing the collections of art every 10-12 weeks, which I find very exciting as each group of artists I choose differ greatly. The gallery and interior design studio are both in a lively, colourful and informal setting, and certainly the feedback since opening the gallery has all been extremely positive. It’s a friendly and welcoming space, and I hope it feels inclusive rather than intimidating. Our affordable art payment scheme also helps make the artworks accessible to more people.
What do you love most about what you do? What’s the best thing about your work?
My work is so varied, which I love. No two people are the same, no two homes are the same and each time I begin a new project I’m excited to see how it will unfurl. I encourage my clients to push boundaries and to think further than they have before and then I delight in watching the change in them!
Now of course, I have the fun of running an art gallery as well as the interiors and with that comes the fascinating aspect of meeting artists, visiting their studios and choosing the works I want to exhibit. I feel privileged to be running two businesses, working in Brighton, across Sussex and in London, and going to wherever the artists are.
What’s your average day like, or is it ever average?
My day is never average! I’m in client meetings, either out on site or at my studio for most of the week and then at the end of the week and over the weekend, I’m in my gallery. There’s always a lot to do and (almost) all of it is interesting and often exciting. I’m working with beautiful fabrics, designing furniture, talking to tradespeople, planning my next art collection and so it goes on.
What is the biggest challenge or opportunity for you at the moment?
I have a great opportunity to gel my two businesses and develop them further. Katherine Richards Design has been around for over 15 years, so my challenge is to connect Katherine Richards Art Gallery to it and let them sail together. I know it’s possible because its already happening.
Have you got anything new planned for the rest of the year?
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Artists Open Houses and I’m proud to be a Bursary Sponsor of AOH 2022. I’m looking forward to mentoring students, giving talks and making myself available to young people in the arts who want to reach out.
There will also be a Katherine Richards Design event, combined with Katherine Richards Art Gallery, when I shall be giving a talk, showing fabulous interior installations of fabrics and wallpapers as well as art and of course, serving champagne and canapes! Venue not yet disclosed… Lots to look forward to - lucky me.
What do you love most about Brighton?
At the risk of sounding predictable, I love being near the sea. I think Brighton is a brilliant place to live. We have everything here; theatre, great restaurants, superb independent retail shops, wonderful properties. We’re close to the countryside and only a short hop n the train to London. What more could one ask for?
Thank you!
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