Incollect Magazine - Issue 2

Issue 2 20 www.incollect.com In his gallery located in a former 19th century power station, Jeff Lincoln weaves together expressions of organic form in ceramic, naturally derived terrazzo, brass and wood. Clockwise from left: South Korean ceramic artist Hun Chung Lee’s 3-legged stool with painterly glazing evokes visions of toadstools; sculpted wood chair by Jose Zanine Caldas, Brazil, circa 1970; illuminated Fertility Form sculpture in naturally derived terrazzo by Rogan Gregory; Haas Brothers Hex stool, covered in brass hexagonal tiles with zoomorphic form legs; and at center, a rare massive 1960 Vinhatico cross section coffee table by Brazilian Modernist great Joaquim Tenreiro; topped by a unique sculptural object in maple, granite, alabaster and gypsum by Rogan Gregory. Not too many people know that you began your career as a journalist — is that right? Jeff Lincoln: Yes indeed! I have a master’s in journalism from Columbia University, worked at The Nation and three years at The Wall Street Journal. Did your background in journalism help in any way your design practice? Jeff Lincoln: Not directly, but I certainly learnt some valuable lessons that were applicable. When I was a young journalist I did a piece on Henry Kissinger that was critical and I was invited on a radio show where people called in, often for negative reasons, and they were asking me all sorts of questions. I realized then that as a journalist I needed to know everything on the subject to be able to answer questions and not be put on my heels. As a journalist you better know everything about your subject. If you don’t know the most then how can anyone trust what you write? It’s the same in interior design. You have to know the most about your subject. You need to be properly prepared and know everything about your business. Clients are paying you to know more than them and if they know more than you then they don’t need you. Who are some of the clients you’ve worked with? Jeff Lincoln: I would prefer not to mention individual private clients, out of courtesy, but obviously I have worked with a great many clients across the United States and in Europe. I do a lot of work in Telluride, on private homes, and of course Manhattan, Palm Beach and the Hamptons where I have a very strong clientele. I typically do primary residences but I often do repeat clients and I’m on to 3rd, 4th, and 5th projects with many of my clients. It’s also no secret that I have been working for close to 20 years now on the refurbishment of the Otesaga Hotel, on Lake