Curiouser, curiouser: Sean Mathias

 WORDS: Daniel Scheffler PHOTOS: Andrew Berry

Collector, archiver, expressionist, hoarder, eccentric, sexualist. Sean Mathias’ art collection and design love are just some of the reasons VISI finds the man captivating and wryly intriguing. Sean’s repute as an award-winning theatre director, young actor and long time lover of the legendary Sir Ian McKellen has commingled a fascinating life for this maverick dissenter. Daniel Scheffler sits down at his dining room table to talk design and the universe, while Andrew Berry snoops around his gorgeous Higgovale home.

VISI: Where do you derive your aesthetic sensibility from?

Sean Mathias: Like every gay boy I looked at how my mother had a love for beautiful things -especially her Wedgewood china.

What factors have shaped your design influences?

Different places have blessed me a sense of inquisitiveness. Having lived in the US, South Africa and Europe certainly adds to it. In particular I have always had a great love for the beautiful pastels so prevalent in the US coastal areas.

What is your stance on South African design? 

South Africa comes from a fierce importing culture since the first pioneers arrived here with the blue delft, and that has persisted until today. It does have a very strong vernacular in its diversity. In terms of architecture, I remember seeing South African homes as a young boy and thinking how extremely grand and glamourous they all were, and how different they were opposed to English city homes and country castles; they had an outlandish appeal as it wasn’t like anything I had seen in the UK or the US… but this has eroded over the years. As an adult I have delighted in homes that are somewhere between the typical Cape Dutch style and the modern monstrosities.

Your entrance hall is filled with ceramics. Which are some local designers have you collected?

Shirley Finn introduced me to so many great ceramists in South Africa. For instance Barbara Jackson, at whose studio I even did some ceramics with my own hands. Also Hylton Nel, whose work I admire for its playfulness.

Which South African artists’ work would you most like to own?

Walter Battiss. But sculpture, I would love more sculptures. I do have this tall wooden figure from Zimbabwe that’s exquisite. It looks like a woman that could be pregnant but so mysterious that it might just be illusive.

What fascinates you?

Everything. I have always been on the look out for the new, the fascinating. It’s a natural thing where I have, since I was young, always poked my nose into everything.

When is enough enough?

Never. I believe in always moving forward, wanting more, never to be satisfied with things or the status quo. I have always been a challenger, not just accepting. This has led to an inner search that I would say is lifelong.

Are you materialistic?

Not terribly no, besides for the love of my homes in Cape Town and London. But cars and clothes don’t really interest me anymore. 

How does design form part of your work? 

Theatre is design. Not necessarily literally as it is much more imaginative, but that is so easy with theatre. Theatre is completely ingenious, there’s no rulebook or draft of how it should be. It’s always new. Theatre by its very nature is design oriented.  As it is to be witnessed live and the audience willing participates the visual approach leads the audience to the make-believe, the fantasy they create alongside the director and actors.

What is the current perception of theatre?

Healthy. People have always loved theatre, perhaps the statistics are showing a decline at this very moment but they will tower again. Stars or famous actors returning to the theatre have promoted theatre, and people have followed their favourites. 

How are film and theatre different in relation to design?

The internet’s plagiarism and the commodity of film has taken over from the design or the art of it.

Do you love film?

I love Italian cinema. Films like Death in Venice by Visconti inspire me tremendously.

What is theatre like in South Africa?

The culture doesn’t promote it as something to do. Cape Town for instance is an outdoor town and the country has a strong culture of going to cinema – ‘to the movies’. Then of course with the advent of the royal home entertainment system South Africans can really stay home with a barbecue.

What do you think of the Design Indaba?

I can’t bear it. All this analysis of good and bad is exhausting. I feel like people are too scared to review their taste level. I luckily have always felt assured in my taste level. Design and art should be a gut feel, with an emotional response.

What about the Design Indaba Expo?

I went last year and I have to say that the cottage industry focus has definitely died down and it has become more sophisticated with an international appeal. But I still feel that it is not fresh, it all feels received.  When for instance functional Wonki Ware came out it was fantastic, but now everyone has copied them.

What do you love about design?

Colour. I see colours I love and I am happy.

Do you shop in South Africa? 

Well, South Africans seem to all be at markets trying to find once offs. But I am in the process of buying another penis. I love nude art and I am looking to buy some more nudity.

There are many nudes, naked figures and pictures all over your home. What is your fascination with nudes?

I love sex. I love the degree it comes out of me in a healthy expression. Sex is everyday, it’s the difference between friendship and something more. I love seeing its life-force around me through the art.