Corner of the World

There is a voyeur in all of us. Come inside the private spaces and places of some of Canberra’s most interesting people.

Daryl Karp

Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy, Media and cultural industry veteran.

Sydneysider living and working in Canberra for the past five years.

Since her appointment to heading the museum, Daryl Karp has taken up residence in a quiet corner of Turner in an apartment that also allows her access to a shady garden and a favourite tree, under which she assumes the thinking position with the dog at her feet.

“I say I live in Canberra but my husband (executive coach Brendan Higgins) says he lives in Sydney. It is quite clear we view our circumstances very differently as we live together here in Canberra but travel to Sydney frequently.”

Daryl feels very much at home in Canberra thanks to some important curated possessions she has relocated from Sydney. An old dresser from her grandfather takes pride of place, along with a handcrafted glass vase and a buffalo horn Indigenous sculpture (farewell gifts from staff) that travel with her. Special works of art hang in the living space, including John Olsen’s “Sticking Your Neck Out” and pieces from her artist friends and family.

“I will admit I miss the beach, which is perhaps the greatest stress reliever of all when you stand at the edge of the water and sink your toes into the sand.”

But she has become a staunch convert to Canberra, loving its intellectual citizens, cosmopolitan pursuits, and abundance of galleries and national institutions.

“Canberra, you know, it just gets to you.”

Anne Masters

Ceramicist and maker of AM PM Ceramics, Gallery of Small Things operator.

Anne never tires of walking through her French doors to the studio."

Anne Masters thinks about ceramics all day and all night—hence the name of her practice, AM PM Ceramics. It's also her potters mark (Anne Masters Potters Mark) which goes onto every piece she designs and makes from her studio in Watson.

For Anne, running her own gallery is about “community, access and connecting my neighbours (whether they are in my street or in the next suburb) with each other. I also wanted visitors to experience art in a comfortable environment so that they can build their confidence to buy affordable art.”

Anne never tires of walking through her French doors to the studio to see the artwork living there. The public reaction to the space is similarly pleasing.

Gallery of small things operates Thursday to Sunday 11am to 4pm. For 10 months of the year it showcases a stable of artists from the visual arts: ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, objects, painting, photography, and printmedia before an annual group show in September.

“Then for one month over Christmas to the end of January I close the doors to have a lie-down. Don’t we all!”

Teresa Zarlenga

Couturier, gardener, charity supporter, opera buff.

When I am in my garden time seems to disappear."

When Teresa Zarlenga bought her home in Red Hill in 1995, it was a small and rather uninspiring ex-govvie. She set about orchestrating a massive renovation— tripling its size, setting aside room for a home studio where she makes bespoke clothing for clients, and even including an “Opera Wing”.

By this, Teresa means a 7.5 metre by 7.5 metre room in which she brings together notable singers with appreciative audiences. The room has superior acoustics and a large bank of windows overlooking the back garden, which is an equal passion.

Teresa’s Italian heritage comes to the fore in the layout of the garden with its 27 fruit trees, sturdy grape vine which this year produced 200 kilos of grapes, vegetable garden, rose garden, water feature and six happy chooks.

“When I am in my garden time seems to disappear, I never feel tired going from one job to another. Gardening also gives me an opportunity to share produce and plants. During a very difficult time in my life I think my garden saved me. I am so proud of what I have created on my own,” she said.

Teresa’s obsession for opera has seen her host 17 musical events in her home. “I love opera and my dream has always been to encourage people who had not had the opportunity to experience opera to actually try it. I can be very persuasive!”

Phillip A. Jones

Martini whisperer, spirit consultant, national tourism judge.

Phillip kicked off his career as the official “martini whisperer” one night with a tipsy tweet. He responded to a call from the ACT Government in the lead up to Canberra’s Centenary celebrations in 2013 to create an official martini to celebrate.

The debonair business consultant suggested a Centini (providing recipes for both a north and south-side version) and began sharing his superior spirit knowledge with a fascinated crowd.

His ongoing experiments in cocktail alchemy take place each afternoon when his ritual evening cocktail preparations begin.

“I keep the key ingredients and equipment in the fridge (it’s very reassuring at 3pm to know they’re there waiting for me) so they’re perfectly chilled. I’ll choose the gin for the occasion—I’m fortunate to have about 100 in my collection, so it’s a question of the mood I’m aiming for—and have a few different mixing sets including vintage glasses and a lovely Georg Jensen silver set. The right music makes a difference and some nibbles to go with the drinks.”

“I’ll mix my Martini, pour my wife Edwina her drink, and bring a water cracker for Harry (the dog). We talk about the day, and avoid going online— it’s a chance to connect and reflect. We generally don’t talk about work though, that’s rarely been our way.

“Then, with some perspective gained, I’ll compose my Instagram— featuring a new craft spirit or some cocktail inspiration—and it’s time to organise dinner.”

Nathan Harradine-Hale

Influencer, content creator, photographer, part-time broadcaster.

Home feels like family and love, home-cooked baked meals and our Sunday dinner routines."

His name is actually Nathan Harradine‐Hale, but if you listen to FM radio, or peruse Instagram, Nathanxgaga is the tag you’ll recognise for this creative chap. Although you'll soon see a change to @collectionsofhim.

With an ear for a beat, an eye for a perfect capture, and an ambition to create compelling online content, Nathan is slowly but surely making a name for himself in Canberra—next stop, the world.

The 22-year-old is proudly Canberra born-and-bred and works a day job before spending his after-hours energy on his creative and radio work where he does live broadcasts and about-town reports for both FM 104.7 and Mix 106.3.

He is often on the road to and from Sydney, where the allure of a new band is often too much to resist, but when he gets back it is into the family fold he goes. Still living at home with his mum and dad in Bonner, Nathan describes his surroundings as a safe and warm haven.

“Home feels like family and love, homecooked baked meals and our Sunday dinner routines.”

He is particular about his surroundings, describing his room as “minimalisticmale-trying-to-be-white-girl-butis-also-just-another-gay-boy chic." He loves a fresh clean room, with nice new sheets and a doona cover.

“Home is also—for me—the smell of candles burning and incense in my room, as it seeps through the house.”

Words: Emma Macdonald | Photography: Amanda Thorson