We met up with our wonderful pal Queenie Wong, director of Sonnabend Gallery, for a personal visit around their showroom surrounded by lust-worthy Jean Prouvé furniture and large scale Candida Höfer photographs. We're so glad to catch her in between art fair trips around the world for a little chat!
TELL ME WHAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU GOT STARTED.
I am the director at Sonnabend Gallery and we specialize in dealing with contemporary art. I started 18 years ago as an intern simply wanting to learn about how the art world functions and operates. I became very involved with all aspects of the gallery and was given the opportunities to work myself up to where I am now.
Recently, I have also been doing some of my own independent curatorial projects, working mostly with young and emerging artists.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
There are several exhibitions in the making that will take place in the fall.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR SECRET SPOTS IN THE CITY?
A secret spot for me usually implies a quiet and relaxing place in the city. I really like going to the Frick Art Reference Library. I mainly go there for research. It is a very beautiful space and has one of the finest collections of art books. It is a GEM which is free and open to anyone.
WHAT PURCHASE OF $100 OR LESS HAS MOST IMPROVED YOUR LIFE RECENTLY?
Hands down, it would be doing fitness at Tone House. That place has changed my life for the better. I highly recommend anyone who wants to get in shape to give it a try. It is very challenging (known to be the hardest workout in the city), but that’s what makes it interesting and sets it apart from other boutique fitness gyms anywhere else. You get results.
DESCRIBE A MEMORY OR FEELING YOU HAVE WEARING ONE OF YOUR NOT PIECES.
I feel like myself. I love the color, the choice of fabric, the unusual but chic and flattering design. I get a lot of compliments when I am wearing one of them. I am very comfortable in them as if they are made just for me!
WHAT IS AN UNUSUAL HABIT YOU HAVE?
I go to museums and look at the same paintings over and over again and never really get tired of them.
IF YOU COULD BE OR DO ANYTHING ELSE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I can’t think of anything to do other than being involved in art, but I care a lot about our environment and would love to help with eliminating plastic waste and plastic pollution.
Queenie is in her Back Loop Dress, Bomber Tie Jacket, and Di Skirt.