Michael Reid OAM

The renowned art dealer and entrepreneur, who runs a congregation of creative businesses across the globe, shares the moments and muses that have shaped his extensive career.

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I distinctly remember sitting in the incredibly fashionable, early 1970s, burnt-orange and chocolate-brown breakfast nook in Wagga Wagga, NSW. I must have been eight or nine years old, and we had a white box-framed Albert Namatjira print in the kitchen, next to the metallic sunburst wall clock. I looked at that print every morning. I liked the colours within the riverbed, gum tree scene; they were bold and exotic. I’ve been a colourist all my life.

I live in Murrurundi, in the Upper Hunter of NSW. My average day begins with my three-year-old Border Collie, Bunty, at the foot of our bed waiting for the sun to rise. Then it’s playtime until we leave my wife, Nellie, in peace. I shower and walk across to the gallery, shop, and cafe for my first coffee of the day. (A blessed life is one with your own commercial espresso machine.) I answer emails, then, with Bunty by my side, I feed the goldfish that inhabit in my nine-metre-long concrete garden trough. My colleague and business partner, Toby Meagher, calls and the day is off and racing. As an art dealer with five galleries and two online art sales platforms across two hemispheres, other than my morning ritual, every day is dramatically different.

My office is in an old hayloft above the concept store and cafe. I put on music downstairs so I hear an enjoyable sound but one that doesn't overpower my concentration. Currently, I am listening to Burt Bacharach.