Kristin Hjellegjerde Talks New Galleries and Art Week Happenings
In 2012, Kristin Hjellegjerde opened her first eponymous gallery, in Wandsworth, London. Her dedication to exhibiting work by both emerging and established artists from around the globe began to flow into new locations, too, with galleries in Berlin; Nevlunghavn, Norway; and Schloss Goerne, Germany, that followed. Most recently, on October 28, Hjellegjerde expanded her reach into the United States with a first location in West Palm Beach, presenting “No Visible Means of Support” by Sara Berman. On November 11, Hjellegjerde also opened a new London location on Tanner Street, Bermondsey, with “Shrines of Gaiety” by Sinta Tantra.
Whitewaller spoke with Hjellegjerde about the West Palm Beach gallery’s upcoming group exhibition, timed to open for New Wave Art Wknd in Palm Beach, and what she’s working on next.
Portrait courtesy of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery.
Kristin Hjellegjerde’s Move to Florida
WHITEWALLER: You have galleries in London, Berlin, Nevlunghavn, Schloss Goerne, and West Palm Beach. How does your Florida outpost offer something different?
KRISTIN HJELLEGJERDE: I’m thrilled to make Florida our first location in the U.S. West Palm Beach was a natural choice as we have been visiting here for many years because my husband, Michael Wurzel, is working on the Norton Museum for Foster + Partners, so we already had a built-in art-forward community. Also, with the influx of people moving to the region, we see positive changes pointing toward an exciting future. As one of our collectors said at the opening, “We will play our part in making the future ‘Florence of Florida.’”
WW: Palm Beach and West Palm Beach is on the rise, becoming a new hot art market. How would you describe this burgeoning scene?
KH: There are great efforts being made around Florida Avenue and the Norton Museum, as the number of galleries here explodes and the area has even been renamed as the “Cultural District.” It’s exciting to see what this will bring. There are also many younger people moving here, creating a change in the demographics and making an even more vibrant scene.
What’s On View at Kristin Hjellegjerde West Palm Beach
WW: Tell us about its latest show, “No Visible Means of Support,” by Sara Berman—an artist we also saw in your New York booth at The Armory Show. Why did you want to show her in West Palm Beach as the gallery’s first artist?
KH: Sara Berman is an artist on the rise. The quality of her work is exceptional, the storytelling current and thought-provoking. With the gargantuan women dominating the space, we thought it would be a powerful beginning to our adventure in West Palm Beach.
Installation view of Sara Berman, “No Visible Means of Support,” courtesy of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery.
WW: What can those in town for Art Week expect to see?
KH: We have such an incredible schedule of exciting shows coming up. We will be having a group show in our Salon rooms with Lulu Bennett, Rufai Zakari, Kimathi Mafafo, and Richard Stone for the Palm Beach New Wave weekend on December 2. On December 9, we will open Nigerian artist Nengi Omuku’s solo show, followed by Joachim Lambrechts in February with his “American Superheroes” show.
WW: What are you looking forward to doing this upcoming Art Week, surrounding Art Basel in early December?
KH: It’s the people. I am excited about meeting new people, so I can show them our gorgeous gallery space and celebrate and introduce our gallery family of artists with them.
More from the Gallerist
WW: You have a few other projects approaching. What can you tell us about them?
KH: We are just finishing up building the walls and getting it ready. Then in January, construction starts on our new London Bridge gallery that will take about two years to finish. I am also working on a book together with writer Millie Walton about the gallery.
Installation view of Sara Berman, “No Visible Means of Support,” courtesy of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery.
