Founder, director and head curator of the KH Gallery, London and Berlin, Kristin Hjellegjerde, believes that now is the time for the overseen to be seen.
I guess my meeting with Larry Gagosion in Venice has been a great kick for me. This is the conversation we had:
“Hello Mister, I have a gallery in London and Berlin, so I am way behind you.”
“Well, let’s keep it that way, shall we?”
“I am not so sure…”
Photo by Marte Lund Rekaa
How do you balance the contradicting elements of your work?
Sometimes I have no idea. I just keep a list that I tick off in an old fashioned way and make sure I surround myself with people who care as much as I do about our mission at the gallery. Then the work becomes a joy and gives me the energy to multitask.
I also have a very understanding family. We get each others’ interests. We care about each other and enjoy a life filled with laughter. That said, I do feel a bit guilty when I am travelling a lot and am away from my boys for long periods of time.
What is the primary function of curator? What does your role as director of the gallery involve?
The primary function is to help artists to be confident enough to bring out their best work and to trust their creative impulses. As the director, I try to create a safe haven for all to be together. The sense that we can have a secure future together is priceless. With a warm and caring environment, that also has a solid structure, one creates a platform where miracles can happen.
Strangers In Town Group Exhibition. Kristin Hjellegjerde, Berlin.
How do you deal with the conceptual difficulty and uncertainty of creating something completely new with every exhibition?
I believe by staying true to oneself and not forcing something, uniqueness is the natural result.
What are your challenges in playing different roles?
I am a natural at multitasking. I don’t think there is a challenge. I do look forward to having a higher budget, so we can hire more people to take away some of the strain that my wonderful team faces. I love the fact that, despite all the challenges, they work hard to ensure everything goes smoothly.
James-Ostrer. Post Apoca Lips. Kristin Hjellegjerde, London
How do you describe yourself in the context of challenging people’s perspectives via your work?
As my son said to me when he was seven, “Mum, just do what the turtle did in its race with the hare, and you will win.”
Would it be safe to say that the Kristin Hjellegjerde (KH) contemporary art gallery is your first step in the direction of manifesting this vision?
KH gallery has grown today and the process is only getting better. It includes a wonderful and dynamic group of international artists. By and by, we will have a broader international presence. We are working at new locations like Norway and New York for the near future.
Wild Gardens. Yassine Balbzioui. Kristin Hjellegjerde, London
Take us through your curatorial process. What do you look for when you review artists for a show?
I look for strong and unique artwork that has a presence, especially if it is something I have not seen before. The work should have an interesting narrative and technique.
The artists I work with are true to themselves and people I would like to spend time with. They work hard and are kind. Also, they appreciate what we give our lives for to achieve.
What do you see in an artist in flow?
An artist in flow works hard and has a great and unique message. They eventually succeed.
Strangers In Town Group Exhibition. Kristin Hjellegjerde, Berlin
Which shows, performances and experiences have shaped your creative process? Who are your maestros?
I guess my meeting with Larry Gagosion in Venice has been a great kick for me. This is the conversation we had:
“Hello Mister, I have a gallery in London and Berlin, so I am way behind you.”
“Well, let’s keep it that way, shall we?”
“I am not so sure…”
What trends have you observed in the art world over the years?
It’s the time for the overseen to be seen!
Soheila Sokhanvari. Addicted to Love. Kristin-Hjellegjerde, London.
What do your future projects look like?
We are on our way to Untitled, Miami, to show Audun Alvestad. However, before that we are opening an exhibition in London for Ethiopian artist Wendimagegn Belete at our new London Bridge location. We also have another exhibition in Berlin before we close for Christmas with Sadikou Oukpedjo from Togo. I am also in talks about a location for a summer gallery in Norway that I hope to finalise before the New Year. New York is on the cards for 2021.
Before you go – you might like to browse the Asian Curator curatorial archives . Contemporary art curators and international gallerists define their curatorial policies and share stories and insights about the inner runnings of the contemporary art world.