Brett Lethbridge, Lethbridge Gallery
Making ideas realities ...
Brett Lethbridge remembers the opening night of his namesake gallery just like it was yesterday. A grand affair of 300 people, squished into his Latrobe Terrace residence, Brett asked a Rosalie restaurant to put on something rustic to feed the hungry art lovers. ‘Don’t tell me a price,’ he said. ‘Just do it.’ – a bold strategy, and one he says he’ll possibly rethink for the gallery’s 10-year anniversary in two years’ time. With the gallery taking on more artists each year, and the competition becoming fierce, Brett’s support of young artists from around the country and internationally means Lethbridge Gallery exhibits a constantly impressive stream of boundless contemporary works. An artist in his own right, Brett’s passion for drawing and painting saw him take up art full-time after completing a law degree. The Weekend Edition spoke to this local, internationally acclaimed artist and family man about his perfect weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
My ideal start is to go for a long breakfast at Java Lounge on Latrobe Terrace, have a coffee and read the papers. But the reality is getting the kids ready and preparing the gallery as Saturdays are our busiest day.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Sweet loving!
How do you like to unwind?
Baths are a particular favourite, but I’m not alone for long – my kids who are three and two jump in and make it a party.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
To make the most of living in a part of the world that has such a perfect climate for the outdoors – so making the time to visit one of the beaches, islands or mountains, even for half a day.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Mowing the lawn.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Have a bath with the kids and wash off the sand after a great day up the coast.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
This weekend it’s going to Moreton Island, but usually it’s releasing the new collection of paintings in the gallery.
What are you reading at the moment?
Game of Thrones, I bought it from Black Cat Books and it’s addictive.
What inspires you?
The artist side of me is wonderfully inspired by the artworks that are brought in to the gallery by our artists like Ai Shah, Joel Rea, Yanni Floros, Lucy Bonnin and Jodie Wells, to name a few.
What was your childhood dream?
When I was six, I very much wanted to be an ornithologist. I was very happy to use that word and tried to put it every sentence, which is not easy.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Convincing my wife Olivia to come live in Australia with me – she’s from Germany.
What is success to you?
Making ideas realities.
What are your words of wisdom?
After every success and every failure … take time out.
Only a local would know … where the crazy people live.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … A coffee from Urban Grind, Paddington
Relax … The bath
Dine … The Barracks
Indulge … Black Cat Books, Paddington
Shop … Thousand Island Dressing for presents for friends, the best place and very close
Catch-up … Java Lounge, Paddington
Be inspired … GOMA, South Bank
