Where do you live and why?
Cleveland Square, W2. It is such a pretty square with some great Victorian architecture and a mixture of international families.
How do you think the art and design scene of west London compares to other areas?
I think it is okay, but not as forward-thinking and avant-garde as it could be. We still have a lot more traditional art galleries than contemporary, cutting-edge ones. I am not proposing an east London scene with its street art and extremely cutting-edge stuff. However, a good balance between old and new would give this community a lot more to shout about.
How do you relax?
Reading, walks in the park and spending time with my family.
What’s been your most memorable meal?
None to mention in particular, but we go to a cottage in the Lake District every year over New Year, and there is nothing like a good hearty roast dinner by an open fire after a long snowy walk.
Who would be your dream dinner party guests?
Beyonce and Jay Z (we are big fans); Jonathon Ross (for the entertainment and humour); Mario Testino (for his spirituality); Sarah Maple (because she is great fun and can do a performance art piece); Karl Lagerfeld (for his wisdom and genius); Tony Blair (for his experience and lessons); Barak Obama (for his ambition); Prince Charles (for his knowledge and he seems good fun); Boris Becker (for his achievements and colourful life) and Claudia Schiffer (for her life achievements outside of the modelling career).
What’s your favourite west London watering hole?
Beach Blanket Babylon [45 Ledbury Road, W11].
And your tipple of choice?
Whisky sour, providing it takes a bartender at least seven minutes to make it… Otherwise they can expect it back!
Your wife Zoe Knight is a handbag designer. How do you find having two creatives under one roof?
It’s great as we both love art and fashion, and our home is a reflection of that. We are also a good sounding board for each other’s businesses and our joint business and we are passionate about the same things. If we disagree on something we each give a descriptive account on why our opinion is right until we come to a solution.
You’re known for nurturing young talent, rather than exhibiting established artists. What do you love about discovering an artist?
Perhaps the better question would be what don’t I love about it? I love everything; a new artists’ energy; their enthusiasm; their vulnerability; their passion; their naivety; their arrogance at times; their modesty; the fact that they are hungry to achieve great things; their ambition and boldness which has not been knocked much; and most of all the X-factor when you encounter a true talent that shines out of them.
You consider yourself lucky if you meet one such person a year or every two years. I have met four so far in the past three years – Sarah Maple and Dorothy Yoon through Salon Contemporary, and Tamara of TOSHA and Leanne Brooke of Obey My Demand through Wolf & Badger. There are a few other talented individuals whose careers might take off in the next couple of years, but these four individuals define true talent for me.
Tell us a secret about the area….
Cleveland Square hosts the best fireworks display in west London every year.
