Sue Kreitzman, an 85-year-old whose career has spanned teaching, cookbook writing, and television chef, now lives within her own sprawling art installation. Describing herself as "obsessive, bonkers and extremely colourful," Kreitzman works outside traditional artistic training, creating her environment as she goes along.
Kreitzman's artistic journey began in childhood, where her unique approaches to art were met with questioning. "My mother would say, 'why did you do it like that?' and I could never explain," she recalled. This unconventional path has led her to a home filled with objects that hold personal significance. She prefers to trade pieces with friends rather than sell them, and her collection is interspersed with gifts from others.
"But I don't just throw it together, it all has meaning," Kreitzman explained. "It makes me feel safe." The artist believes her sculptures and objects possess a spiritual essence. Gesturing to Egyptian busts, she said, "These heads, they talk to me." She elaborated that their conversations depend on their mood and hers, attributing "animus" and a "soul" to each piece.
Beyond the interior, Kreitzman's back garden features a structure she calls the Museum Shed, marked with a sign reading "drama queen." Inside, near a collection of bejeweled vintage telephones, she discussed her "goddess phones." These phones, she explained, offer a mystical connection for those seeking help, with the unpredictable nature of who might answer adding to their allure.
