The Test of Time
Art Collector #102 OCT - DEC 2022
Artist Kylie Stillman and galleriest Christopher Hodges tell us the single most important thing about their 18-year relationship that has given it longevity.
Christopher Hodges: Her clarity…
When a young Kylie Stillman modestly mentioned she had an exhibition at Platform Art Space (Flinders Street Station underpass), I had an idea of her work but when I saw it in the flesh, I got it! I called her immediately and told her once the exhibition was finished to send it all to Sydney and I would look after it, that was 2004 and we have been working together ever since.
Kylie is an absolute pleasure to represent, she is an artist with a clear vision, who simply does her work. Beyond that, our friendship is firmly based on a very down to earth view of the artworld and the importance of being true to yourself. It’s lovely to have a friend who understands what you do.
Kylie Stillman: He just gets it…
Living in different cities means our communication has been mostly by phone. Christopher is always available and brilliant when it comes to advice. He’s an artist as well as a gallerist so when it comes to what artists’ need, he just gets it. I pick up the phone sometimes just to share a part of my studio day, if he is in the gallery we can chat through any new projects, but what I most enjoy are the phone conversations when he is in his studio, artist to artist, he’ll answer my call, just before he turns down the music he blasts, and talk about our shared interest in making and how lucky we are to have studio time.