Art historian, curator, author and television presenter Kate Bryan is best known for demystifying contemporary art with warmth, wit, and an encyclopedic eye. As Chief Art Director at Soho House, she collects and curates some of the most exciting private art collections in the world, showcasing rising and established talents across the group’s ever-expanding properties. Bryan has lived in Hong Kong and Rome before returning to London 10 years ago, eventually leading Soho House’s lauded global art program.
When not doing that she’s on your TV screens presenting and judging on some of Sky TV’s most popular arts and culture programs (Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year), and writing popular books such as Bright Stars, The Art of Love and the upcoming How to Art (buy here).
The Brit resides in vibrant, culturally buzzy, Brixton in South London, with her husband James and young daughter Juno. But between exhibitions, studio visits, and art fairs, she’s likely found hopping between Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, Mexico City, New York or relaxing somewhere Italian and coastal. “Brixton is home, but I’m always often packing a suitcase,” she says. Still, the globetrotting curator has nailed her local rituals, go-to destinations and seaside escapes, down to an art.
Best hidden gems in London for art lovers?
I am lucky to have a public gallery and studio complex that punches way above its weight in my neighbourhood – Studio Voltaire in Clapham, and also nearby South London Gallery. Both are free and I think show off London’s art scene at its best – progressive, community focused and sensitively presented art spaces.
Best things about living in Brixton and South London
How green it is, I think South London can’t be beaten for proximity to green spaces. I also like how lively Brixton is, I know for many people this kind of city life would be nightmarish but for me it’s perfect – I want to be right in the heart of everything around interesting people. I can also walk to our office in an hour, partly along the Thames which is uplifting no matter the weather. I don’t want to shut myself away in the suburbs, I spent every day of my teens imagining getting to the big smoke, I love it.
Favourite local restaurants and bars?
Maremma next to Brockwell Park is a perfect spot. They serve my favourite beer, Menabrea which is near impossible to find in the UK and the most authentic Tuscan food. It works for casual lunches as well as dressed up evenings which I think is rare in London.
Favourite London haunt?
The River Café is my favourite place in London. She’s spenny so strictly for special occasions and my birthday lunch.
Favourite cities worldwide for the art scene, and why?
London as I know the art scene so well and it is always offering up amazing new talent, despite how hard it is to be an emerging artist and gallery in this city. Also Sydney as I have so many friends there like Janet Laurence and Paul Davies – I am so excited to curate the Soho House collection there in the next couple of years.
If you could live anywhere else, where would it be?
Rome, in a heartbeat. I lived there for a year with my husband before we had our daughter and we talk about it all the time. It is such an iconic city but I felt like it was always showing us new layers – the neighbourhoods are all so distinct and the way of life is an art form. I am always trying to remind myself to be more Roman.
Your top 3 museums in the world and why?
Tate Modern (it’s always excellent), Vatican Museum (Ancient sculptures, the Sistine Chapel and Caravaggio in the Pinacoteca) and the Prado (for Goya black paintings) in Madrid.
Most inspiring city for art you’ve visited recently?
Zurich. I had never been and the art museum was just banger after banger.
How do you approach curating a space, exhibition or fair?
For Soho House I do lots of research (sometimes over course of 2 or 3 years), talking to artists about what’s important to them about their city, understanding the architecture and the nuances of each space and then thinking about how this House can be different and we can really take art collection somewhere new. I’m always trying to think of the next thing – for Mexico City House it was a full room textile wrap, for Soho Farmhouse Ibiza it was an outdoor light projection, for Little House Balham it was a full ceiling mural.
Favourite Soho House globally art-wise?
Probably Soho House Mexico City, but it is very hard to choose! We got to build something ambitious, with so many warm and excited artists who gave us exceptional work for a spectacular building.
My favourite commission of all time is in the UK though, David Shrigley’s banana shaped swimming pool at Soho Beach House Brighton. David and I just made a book together, How to Art, and I can confirm he is a most generous and kind spirited man.
What did studying in Hong Kong for your MPhil and a career kick start in Asia teach you?
It taught me to not be so western-centric. I loved learning about the traditions of Chinese painting and it was a dream come true to visit the Dunhuang Caves in Gansu, China to make a BBC programme later on.
A spot in an old neighbourhood that you miss desperately?
I miss Vietnamese restaurant Nha Trang in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Perfect post hike, perfect post night out, perfect when you forgot to food shop. The Pho was insane but I also loved their very pungent chicken salad.
It’s served in all the restaurants, so everything you get is locally sourced and homegrown. It’s a lovely place to travel with children as well, which I recently discovered.
Spa, health or wellness routine you swear by?
I workout every day with very minimal exceptions (maybe 1 day off a month if I have a very early flight) – I try to make it as routine as brushing my teeth. It means I sleep beautifully for 8 or even 9 hours and have good mental energy. Sadly spa time is a thing of the past as is daily yoga. But I look forward to being reunited with those old friends when I am in my 50s!
Travel splurge you’ll never regret?
New York in grand style for my 30th birthday, staying at The London hotel and eating out at only the best places, shopping, visiting museums like my life depended upon it with my best friend Jenny. I don’t know how I afforded it but I would do it all over in a heartbeat.
Favourite hotel, anywhere in the world?
San Domenico Palace Hotel in Taormina where we went on honeymoon. I fear I will never get to go back after they filmed White Lotus season 2 there.
Where do you go for pure escapism?
Somewhere with water, like Villa Lario on Lake Como, one of best hotels I have ever stayed at. It was so peaceful and elegant I felt like a character in a vintage movie.
Where do you go for stimulation and creative energy?
New York, I get so fired up there. London has pace, but New York is in overdrive. I admire people who can live there all the time. People watching on the rooftop of Dumbo House is my happy place, the outfits, the tattoos, the gossip overheard, it would be a screen writer’s dream.
Dream vacation, not yet fulfilled?
Walking the Cinque Terre, on the Italian Riviera, spending the morning stomping along cliff top walks and then swimming in the late afternoons at a new beach, sending your bags onward the next day to the next town and doing the whole thing all over again.
