A curator, creator and convention challenger through and through, kit: visits Andy Kelly, owner of Oigall Gallery and Brud Studia in his bathroom to chat about his business(es), and also what’s none of his business…
Living, working, and creating on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy – why here, and how does the suburb influence your design?
“The reason for Gertrude Street is oddly personal. My partner Mitchell’s grandma was named Gertrude, her nickname was Oigall. So, when we were about to embark on this next phase of our creative career journey, it had to be on Gertrude Street. The inner North is such a great collaboration of people. It's a bit messy, and it's very old, but then it's also very new. I think there are no rules here per se.
What do we find in your bathroom?
“What you won’t find is a mirror. What I look like at 6 am in natural light is absolutely none of my business!”
What does your AM and your PM routine look like?
“AM is pretty simple: get up, shower, wash my face, brush my teeth, moisturise, go and get a coffee. PM can be up and down with skincare routines. Sometimes I'm very into it, sometimes, it's the last thing on my mind. I think that is the reality for a lot of men. At least of my generation. We're kind of the first ones who were getting into skincare – sunscreen was never smacked into us, but I wish that it was!”
What's your relationship to fragrance?
“Oh, see, I used to love it. When I was younger, I was the kid who would drench himself in perfume. But now as an adult at 33, I just want to smell neutral, like a clean human. It’s exactly why I like the kit: products – because they smell beautiful without sticking to me.”
Lastly, what’s something that gets you down the rabbit hole?
“It changes a lot! At the moment I'm obsessed with solitaire the card game, like obsessed! I play on my phone for hours and hours. But if you come back to me in six months, it'll be a completely different thing! I blame my undiagnosed ADHD.”
