Sam had already selected the artists, but they didn't have a space, any invite cards or any money. I came in to help save the day. Then I went on to curate a programme of contemporary video works called Speaking of Sofas , followed by an exhibition in an old warehouse called Liar , featuring works by Dinos and Jake Chapman, Cerith Wyn Evans and Sadie Benning. By now I was writing for frieze magazine, but also getting increasingly into the idea of curating exhibitions and putting on shows. I like to think that the rest is history.
Curators have to be all manner of things to all manner of people.
My maxim is that my role is to serve the artist and the exhibition. In order to do this, I have to deal with people from all walks of life. One day I'll be in deep discussion with the artist, the following day I'll be trying to relay an idea to the person who's going to help make the idea of a show a reality. Then you have to put on your marketing hat and try to rally some press, or start raising some cash. In effect, a curator has to put together a show from top to bottom.