By Stephen Brook
Copyright theage
The avant-garde and culturally influential gallerist Anna Schwartz is mildly incredulous and slightly amused as she lobs a faintly mocking statement my way: “You’re turning me into a liar.”
Schwartz, one of our biggest names in contemporary art, loathes interviews and is apparently dreading this one, but is at lunch to make a major announcement about her future. We are at big-occasion restaurant Gimlet, just down the road from her eponymous gallery on Flinders Lane, the rear table has a commanding view of diners and the kitchen; the supremely connected Schwartz is, naturally, friends with owner Andrew O’Connell and has already ordered a glass of Haslinger Brut champagne ($34). Be rude not to join.
Given times have been fraught in the Jewish cultural community over Gaza and aware she is sensitive about this interview (Schwartz’s publicist is seated at the bar), I respond slowly: “People have many different facets. It’s fun to tease that out.”
Schwartz had just declared she had “never been interested in lifestyle per se” so I had pointed out her clear interest in fashion.
