The avant-garde and culturally influential gallerist Anna Schwartz is mildly incredulous and slightly amused as she lobs a faintly mocking statement my way: “You’re turning me into a liar.”

Schwartz, one of our biggest names in contemporary art, loathes interviews and is apparently dreading this one, but is at lunch to make a major announcement about her future. We are at big-occasion restaurant Gimlet, just down the road from her eponymous gallery on Flinders Lane, the rear table has a commanding view of diners and the kitchen; the supremely connected Schwartz is, naturally, friends with owner Andrew O’Connell and has already ordered a glass of Haslinger Brut champagne ($34). Be rude not to join.

Anna Schwartz at Gimlet. Credit: Simon Schluter

Given times have been fraught in the J

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