Danielle Harrigan, Gallery Director, Ryan Renshaw Gallery
Looking back on each day and thinking that it was lived well ...
Since opening in 2004, Ryan Renshaw Gallery has become renowned for showcasing contemporary Australian and international art. A hybrid commercial gallery that shows both the local graduate artist and the well-known international artist, there’s always something new and thought-provoking moving through the fluid space. Danielle Harrigan is one half of this gallery. Starting out in photography, Danielle’s work took her travelling the world, from London and Paris to New York. Upon returning to Brisbane, she met Ryan and joined him as co-director at the gallery – her love of art and photographic history fashioning the change across genres. Now the gallery feels like home to many – the artists and curators who pass through, staying with the couple during their exhibit, as well as Danielle and Ryan’s two children, who have attended the openings since they were born. The Weekend Edition spoke to Danielle about her perfect weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
My favourite way to start the weekend is with a sleep in, a cup of tea in bed and a paper to read. Though this is extremely rare in my world as there is a little miss four and a little mister three who always have other ideas for how to start a weekend – none of which involve sleeping in!
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
I love an early stroll through Rocklea Markets and coming home with armloads of flowers – followed by a long lovely breakfast in the garden at Sisco, then opening the gallery.
How do you like to unwind?
Tea, tea and more tea.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Friends, food, family.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Our garden …
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
I love having friends over for dinner on a Sunday night just to stretch that weekend out a little further. At the moment we have our fireplace burning, so most Sunday evenings are spent relaxing in front of it.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
A long stretch of unplanned hours.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton – a chapter each night to my kids. I’ve never read it before and I kind of love it. Also, I’m proofreading a book on one of our artists Nicholas Folland – we’re launching it at the Melbourne Art Fair in August.
What inspires you?
All the amazing artists we work with. It’s a humbling experience to be surrounded by such talent. I feel really lucky to be a part of it.
What was your childhood dream?
I wanted to be Eve Arnold – she was the first ever female photographer for the Magnum Photographic agency. I got to have tea with her once in London. It was a lovely day. I could barely speak.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Falling in love with Ryan … and hence … Poppie and Parker.
What is success to you?
Looking back on each day and thinking that it was lived well.
What are your words of wisdom?
I’m not sure these are my words of wisdom … but at the moment they are a mantra that I keep trying to remind myself … Play more, laugh more, listen more.
Only a local would know … where to find our gallery, Ryan Renshaw Gallery.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Sisco, Spring Hill
Relax … Stradbroke Island
Dine … Stokehouse Q, River Quay
Indulge … Public, Brisbane City
Shop … Ryan Renshaw Gallery (brazen plug!)
Catch-up … in my loungeroom
Be inspired … GOMA, South Bank
