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I n the vibrant tapestry of London's art scene, one name shines brightly as the architect behind the city's dynamic cultural convergence: Katy Wickremesinghe. With her imaginative approach to programming, Wickremesinghe has emerged as a pivotal figure in weaving together the diverse threads of London's art scene. At the helm of The Wick Culture, she is the driving force behind a team that craft cultural experiences and content that place London at the heart of the global art world.
Through meticulously curated events and collaborations, the organisation forges connections between emerging artists and established names, as well as advising brands and CEOs on their cultural footprint, supporting individuals on the development of their personal art collections and instigating educational programs that give access to the city’s major institutions for a new generation of creatives.
This year, as the Frieze art fair celebrates its 20th anniversary in the capital, and looking ahead to the Paris+ Katy Wickremesinghe introduces The London/Paris Sales, Sotheby's major Contemporary and Modern auction series, spanning the life, work and careers of the 20th and 21st Century's greatest artists such as Gerhard Richter, Rene Magritte, Francis Bacon and Yayoi Kusama. Ahead of the London/Paris Sales, she met with our specialists to talk through the most exciting lots across the sales in the gallery tour, but before that, she sat down with us to share her insights on the art market, collector trends and her tips for surviving Frieze week and beyond.
You open with the phrase “Connecting the Culturally Curious” on your website. Can you talk about your mission statement for The Wick?
The Wick is a global content hub and platform founded on the principles of connection, education, and inspiration. I created The Wick over lockdown with a mission to break open the art world to make visual arts and culture more accessible, engaging, and enriching to wider audiences. Committed to dynamic storytelling, we want to highlight pathways to credible, expert opinion - shining a light on industry leaders whilst also championing and platforming new talent.
I’ve always been an explorer of people and culture and what makes us tick. I hope The Wick opens-up an art world which can often feel intimidating and difficult to reach at the top market and institutional echelons. I am so pleased that our community of art lovers and the culturally curious is growing to be a rich, vibrant, and diverse one.
Tell me a little bit about your personal route to where you are right now…
I’ve always been passionate about the power of words. Conversation, language, and writing was something I voraciously consumed and then had a chance to explore Renaissance art whilst on my History degree at Warwick.
In 2014 I established KTW, a strategic communications consultancy operating across the art market and affluent brand space. My ten years at Freuds prior to starting my business was filled with inspirational cross industry thought leaders in technology, film and politics giving me a strong rigour and grounding in my work. I am half Sri-Lankan but born in South London. Growing up in a family which bridges the culture and belief system of east and west combined has informed the way I live my life. I’m half an island and city girl combined in one. Family, food and sharing ideas was at the core of everything.
In my wider life I also commit and dedicate time to building and opening conversations around culture and protecting legacy, which I do in my position as a Trustee to various public institutions such as the Royal Academy, Dulwich Picture Gallery and The Line. I aim to connect different worlds together through advisory or mentoring roles with organisations such as the Association of Women in the Arts, Creative Circuit with Founders Forum or as a patron of the Serpentine Future Contemporaries or V&A Patrons.
Gerhard Richter’s Abstraktes Bild is a mix of colour and chaos. This work is a fusion of photography and painting and it’s such an exciting and momentous work given that it’s the first year of the infamous squeegee. Richter’s depth and vibrancy of colour remains unparalleled.
What advice do you give collectors this year as we head into Frieze Week and follwing that, Paris+?
Frieze Week and Paris+ are not just about the art; it’s also about the people, conversations, and the atmosphere of cultural celebration. This year the twentieth anniversary will see Frieze Masters, for art before 1980 - introduce a special section dedicated to women artists for the first time, so I would definitely check that out alongside the sculpture park which for the first year has been curated by Fatos Ustek. Of course, personally I will be looking to South Asian influence as I think it’s a fast-growing area of the market and set to explode in just a few years. I’m also excited to see Modern Women a section of the fair curated by one of our Monday Muses, Camille Morineau, co-founder of the non-profit AWARE (Archive of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions).
Away from Frieze Art Fair bear in mind galleries and locations all over the capital will be bursting with conversation and connection to echo this exciting artistic moment. As well as the oldest Gallery road in London, Cork Street, I would also visit spaces like 180 Strand, museum shows and Cromwell Place Arts Centre. And as Frieze Week draws to a close, we turn our attention to Paris as the art world migrates for the next major fair, Paris+, and the Sotheby's auctions including Modernités on 19 October. The works included in the Paris sales include paintings by the most important figures in European Modernism, for which Paris remains the epicentre. The two cities have such distinct personalities, and this is represented by the breadth of the lots in each sale.
Can you put your finger on what makes London an important cultural hub?
As a born Londoner, culture has seeped into my life at every point from school until now - creativity is not just in the fabric of our cities but is also seen in the dynamism of our artists, creatives and those who make the industry tick.
The capital has more than 200 museums and 800 galleries. It is a platform for new voices where we see outstanding emerging talent coming from prestigious arts universities including: Royal College of Art, UAL, Goldsmiths and Central Saint Martins. London’s first public art walk, The Line as well as initiatives like the Fourth Plinth show the commitment of a city wanting art to be part of our everyday. It’s no surprise that the GLA and M&C Saatchi has just launched London Creates dedicating a platform to culture.
The recent reopening of the National Portrait Gallery, rehang of Tate Britain, and the opening of the new Young V&A demonstrate the energy in the city. Other significant developments include the rejuvenation of the East Bank which will see the biggest cultural investment in London since the 1850s. I am excited to see that major galleries are all creating new spaces and galleries on Cork and Conduit Street – reminding us that we are the second largest art market in the world, just behind the US with 18% of sales globally. Larger than the rest of Europe combined. Ultimately the heart of London is diverse culture and conversation coming together. That is what makes it the best city in the world.
How important is it to you to have relationships with artists?
To me, art is the unequivocal point of human connection. Building relationships with artists is of paramount importance to me. These connections allow for a deeper understanding of the creative process and the stories behind the artwork. Artists inspire us with their unique perspectives and narratives, and fostering these relationships is an enriching experience.
"I’m captivated by the work of Alighiero Boetti. He forged his own unique explorations of time, space, language, mathematics, wordplay and classification, and Kupka’s work appeals to me as a colour lover. He used dynamic fractured blocks and strokes of colour and as a Buddhist I’m fascinated by the fact that František Kupka became interested in spiritualism and made his living as a medium. This enlightenment shows in his work."
From what, or who, do you draw inspiration?
Libraries, culture makers, kirtans and those who create change with their work. I have lots of Muses who I draw inspiration from – they tend to be those who are unwavering in their commitment to their work and pioneer their worlds or have overcome great adversity. Past and present they include: Frida Kahlo, Anna Wintour, Priyanka Chopra, Sharmadean Reid, Marina Abramović and one of my closest friends Sarah Jane Mee who consistently delivers under pressure. I am lucky to have lots of inspirational friends – whatever they do, work, business, motherhood, or adventure, they do it wholeheartedly and with integrity. I am always inspired by lots of male champion and mentors as well as female from the dynamic voice of Tim Marlow to the business innovation across arts and hospitality from Ewan Venters and the creative vision high low of Mark Wadhwa and Alex Eagle. My work ethic comes from my Dad and my ability to connect with people from my Mum.
"Art is the unequivocal point of human connection. Building relationships with artists is of paramount importance to me..."
What is the piece in your own collection that most resonates with you?
The first piece of art I bought was an original Jonathan Yeo iconic porn leaves work – it will forever hold importance. I first saw this work when I was with an old friend and mentor, Jonny – someone I was lucky enough to work with in his role as Curator of the Soho House Art Collection. At the time, I didn’t have the funds to purchase the original work I wanted, so I asked Jonny if I could pay in monthly instalments. He agreed, and there began what I jokingly call The Wick’s Fondazione – a collection of established and emerging artists, comprising over 190 artworks…including Harland Miller, Marius Bercea, Bob and Roberta, David Shrigley, Chris Levine, Zoe Buckman, Polly Morgan, Laura Gannon, Christabel Blackburn, Bobby Fermie, Tom Anholt and Shaq Whyte.
Explore Katy's Picks from The London/Paris Sales
What does the future hold for you, and for The Wick?
I am excited to be able to use my voice and the wider platform of The Wick to instigate positive change, and create a forum where the worlds of business, arts and creativity can combine. I am looking forward to not only creating more physical experiences which open up the art world but also building support to the much-needed areas of art and health and art and education supporting our core mission to make businesses more art responsible. I am thrilled to be involved in several dynamic projects with a focus on South Asia, as we elevate our broadcasting capabilities at The Wick. We are committed to expanding our reach and deepening our engagement with the culturally curious. Expect more innovative experiences, collaborations, and initiatives that celebrate the arts and enrich our cultural community. The Wick is lit.
