Designing Spaces for an Artful Life
Hotels, galleries and offices can optimise the emotional impact of art and design to create highly desirable environments beyond the home. This session brings together: the interior designer of Sydney’s chicest new hotel, the architects of some of NSW’s major cultural destinations and a gallerist renowned for parlaying artists into some of the most chic hospitality and workplace settings.
Kitty Clark | Speaker
Kerstin Thompson | Speaker
William Smart | Speaker
Stephen Todd | Moderator
Charlotte Wilson | Speaker
Kitty Clark is the founder and creative force behind Saint Cloche, a celebrated contemporary gallery in the heart of Paddington, Sydney. With a decade at the helm, Kitty has built a distinctive platform that champions emerging talent while supporting established voices in Australian contemporary art. With a background in design and experience as a buyer for Gucci, Kitty brings a refined curatorial eye and a deep understanding of visual culture to her work. Her unique vision has shaped Saint Cloche into a multidisciplinary space where art intersects with fashion, design and architecture, earning recognition on leading creative platforms and attracting collectors from around the world. Under Kitty’s direction, Saint Cloche has become a sought-after cultural destination, featured in the Louis Vuitton Sydney City Guide and known for its dynamic, forward-thinking programming. The gallery represents artists whose works are held in public and private collections globally and remains committed to nurturing new voices and pushing creative boundaries in contemporary practice.
Kerstin Thompson is the design director and leader on all projects undertaken by KTA, supported by a dedicated and skilled team. Her design excellence, project success and strategic thinking has been recognised through a raft of architectural awards at state, national and international levels. In recognition of her work and contribution to the profession and tertiary education, Kerstin was elevated to Life Fellow by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2017. In 2022, she was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and, in 2023, she was awarded the Gold Medal, the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour.
William Smart is the Founder and Principal of Smart Design Studio, established in 1998. His approach to design is holistic, combining both architectural and interior design with passionate attention to detail. Over the past 27 years, Smart Design Studio has delivered a wide range of projects ranging from large-scale master planning, cultural buildings, offices, workplaces to private houses and product design. Although varied in scale, the projects are united by an ethos of “Architecture from the Inside Out”.
Charlotte Wilson has more than 15 years’ experience in interior design spanning high-end residential, hospitality and commercial sectors in both Australia and the UK. She specialises in bespoke design and understands the importance of creating sustainable, timeless places that continue to spark joy for years after completion. Charlotte has a unique understanding of the end user, examining how they will engage and connect with the spaces she creates. Since graduating with an MA in Architecture from London’s Royal College of Art, Charlotte has focused on interior design while maintaining a strong passion for designing with an understanding for both interior and architectural disciplines to achieve holistic, narrative driven projects. A Senior Associate, Charlotte Co-leads SJB Sydney’s interior design team.
Stephen Todd began his writing career in Paris in the early 1990s where his immersion in the worlds of fashion, art, architecture and design saw him well-placed to contribute essays to journals of record including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Australian and Le Monde, and magazines including Wallpaper*, Blueprint, Fantastic Man and American Vogue. Returning to Australia in late 2010, today he is the Design Editor of the Australian Financial Review newspaper and the Head of Publishing at Powerhouse Museum.
Curated by Stephen Todd
A valid ticket to Sydney Contemporary 2025 is required for entry to this talk. We recommend arriving 10 minutes before the talk’s start time. Buy tickets now.
Image Credit: SJB, The EVE Hotel, featuring artwork by Tarryn Gill, The Moon and Aspects of Self #1-6, 2024. Mixed media (inc. EPE foam, dacron, upholstery thread, hand stitched lycra & sequin fabric, LED tears coded by Steve Berrick) Size variable. Represented by Gallery Sally Dan Cuthbert, Image Courtesy of Anson Smart.
