Interview Masterpiece London’s Lucie Kitchener
Managing director Lucie Kitchener joined the fair in January 2017 as acting managing director, before taking on the role permanently in December 2017. After previously working as a partner at Kennedy Dundas, managing director at The Rug Company and bespoke furniture and design business David Linley & Co, she brought over a decade of experience in the luxury goods and services sectors with her.
She shares what to expect from this year’s fair and her top tips for getting the most out of it.
THE WICK: Talk us through your typical Monday.
Lucie Kitchener: There is no typical day; at the moment it will start and end on-site at the Royal Hospital as we are building the fair, which opens on June 29. I’ll have a team catch-up focusing on what galleries are bringing, our partners’ plans and our talks programme. Our vetting, which involves over 170 experts from around the world, takes place at the fair before we open, but a lot goes on beforehand to make this seamless on the day.
TW: How did you first get involved in Masterpiece?
LK: I was originally asked by the board to lead a strategic project for them in 2016 and never left, taking over as CEO in January 2017.
TW: You hold several board positions. How do these roles influence you?
LK: Masterpiece is an extraordinary team effort both internally and through working with the best galleries from around the world. Having the opportunity to sit on other boards reinforces my belief in collaboration and mutual support, often sparking new ideas and giving a valuable broader context for what we are trying to achieve.
TW: What are you most looking forward to at Masterpiece 2022?
LK: Being back in person. We have a strong female influence this year: Masterpiece Presents features two monumental light installations by Pakistani-American artist Anila Quayyum Agha; Melanie Vandenbrouck, curator of sculpture at the V&A, has curated our Sculpture Series; Sarah Graham is transforming our entrance with a large-scale reinterpretation of her recent work and a newly commissioned piece by Lakwena Maciver will be featured as a special exhibit within the fair. There is a lot to look forward to.
“The last couple of years have reminded us all that there is nothing that matches seeing works of art in person alongside stimulating conversations with each other and the experts.”
