Kalie Burgis

I curate from the belief that art is one of the most personal ways people communicate who they are — their experiences, stories, values, and emotional worlds. I’m far less interested in generic work that exists purely to decorate, and much more drawn to work that carries intention and tells a story, even quietly.

Traditional gallery culture can often feel cold, hierarchical, and unapproachable. I’ve always found that disconnecting rather than meaningful. At Black Fig Gallery, my aim is to create a space where people feel comfortable engaging with art - asking questions, learning, sharing opinions, and having conversations around art, even when those perspectives differ. This is how we learn about how those around us think and feel...

"One of the things I love most about art is that two people can stand in front of the same work and experience something entirely different, and both responses can be valid." - Kalie Burgis

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CURATORIAL LENS

When selecting work, I respond instinctively to balance, colour, and intention.
I’m drawn to pieces with a clear point of interest, paired with quieter secondary moments of discovery - details that reveal themselves over time rather than all at once. Edges, finishes, and less obvious areas matter to me. For me, the difference between a resolved and unresolved work is often found in the details that are easy to overlook. I tend to quietly move away from work that feels rushed, unfinished, or overly conceptual in a way that lacks substance - pieces that prioritise idea over care, or feel visually flat or emotionally disengaged.

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THE BLACK FIG APPROACH

My curatorial approach is spatial, instinctive, and deliberate.
I often begin by laying works out on the ground, anchoring a piece or two to each wall before arranging around that, allowing for breathing room and/or tension around those key pieces. I consider how works speak to one another across the room, how negative space functions, and how someone enters and moves through the gallery.

I think carefully about pacing and discovery - allowing quieter works to reveal themselves over time rather than competing with louder pieces. Hanging is never about hierarchy or comparison, but about balance, attention, and giving each work the opportunity to be seen on its own terms. If something feels off, I’ll start again, even if everything is technically “finished” and much to the frustration of my Gallery Assistant's.

Visual fatigue matters to me.
Too much work can feel overwhelming; too little can feel dismissive. I aim to create pockets of discovery - moments that invite people to slow down, look again, and spend time in the space without feeling rushed or confused.

The gallery shifts significantly between exhibitions. This isn’t about reinvention for its own sake, but about allowing each body of work to exist without being read through the lens of the previous show. I’m often told, “I didn’t think these works would go together, but they do,” which, to me, is one of the strongest compliments a curator can receive.

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WORKING WITH ARTISTS & ACCESSABILITY

My approach is intentionally artist-first.
I’m drawn not only to the work itself, but to artists who engage generously with their practice and community. I value sincerity over status and integrity over ego. No matter how strong a piece is, poor craftsmanship or lack of care matters - just as much as how an artist moves through the world.

I’m conscious of who feels comfortable walking into a gallery, and who doesn’t. A big part of my role is making sure Black Fig feels open rather than intimidating - a place where people from different backgrounds can engage with original art in ways that feel realistic and respectful.

That means holding space for serious collectors, first-time buyers, and those who simply like to sticky beak at what’s happening - all at the same time - and finding ways to support access without devaluing artists or their work. One way we do this is through our Fig Fund initiative.

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A NOTE...

My background spans creative practice, interiors, and a long-standing interest in psychology, all of which shape how I think about space, context, and how people live with art. My approach is commercially informed but community and values led - curated with warmth, curiosity, and a willingness to take the less obvious path.

If Black Fig has a defining quality, it’s not a look but a feeling: thoughtful restraint. …♥…

The work is curated with care, control, and room to breathe - allowing good things to grow slowly and deliberately amid create chaos of an ever changing Gallery.