A Day in the Life - Lucy Scovell
Just like our ‘collecting stories’ series, a day in the life aims to de-mystify the art world, highlighting real-life stories of a typical day.
Lucy Scovell is a journalist and founder of The Istanbulist, a publication about all things art, design and travel in London, Istanbul & beyond. Through newsletters featuring curated edits, Q&As with local tastemakers, studio visits and feature articles, Lucy shines an authentic light on the people and places that make her home cities so special. Lucy interviewed us earlier this year for Christie’s Magazine and more recently asked us our top ten collecting tips for The Istanbulist.
Firstly, where are you located today?
I’m currently in London, where I’ll be for the next month or so for work, a house move and my best friend’s wedding. Autumn is such an exciting time in London as it marks the start of a new season of blockbuster exhibitions, festivals, art fairs and auctions.
How do you usually start your day? Do you have a routine that you follow?
With a very large cup of coffee! I also try to do a 30-minute yoga routine two or three times a week before settling down in front of my computer. As I spend so much of the day sitting down, I find taking this time to stretch and work my body really helps me get in the zone for the day ahead.
What is on your to do list? How do you stay focused throughout the day?
One of the best things about being a journalist is the variety of work tasks — which happily means my to-do list is never the same. Some days I’ll be interviewing a curator or collector for a feature, others I’ll be researching, writing or editing copy. This week’s to-do list is centred on planning and pitching timely autumn features. I’m also sketching out my next feature for my newsletter, which is about all things art, design & travel in London, Istanbul & beyond.
As for staying focused, I try to break up my to-do list into bitesize chunks so as not to feel overwhelmed. If I’m struggling to write or come up with an idea, I’ll go for a walk outside as I’ve found this to be far more time effective and productive in the long run.
What are some of the perks and challenges of being a freelancer in the arts sector?
Good question! Having the opportunity to interview inspiring people for publications I admire has to be one of the biggest perks of the job. As is seeing art spanning millennia and media from all over the world. As for challenges, I think the biggest one is the constant need to self-motivate. It can be tough setting your own deadlines and sticking to them!
How do you navigate travelling between two cities?
With careful forward planning so I’m in the right place at the right time. And two toothbrushes!
Can you tell us a little bit about what you have learned over the years and what you wish you knew before starting this career?
I’ve learnt to take the knock backs in my stride and to have more confidence in my writing. I’ve also learnt that taking risks can pay off if you embrace the challenge and dive in headfirst. As for what I wish I’d known… it would have to be that everything always works out in the end, even if it’s not how you first expected it to be. I’d also say that the art world can be daunting and intimidating when you’re fresh out the blocks, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. People are more often than not very happy to share their time and knowledge.
Do you have any tips or advice for others looking to break in to arts journalism?
Don’t take editorial feedback too personally — instead see it as an opportunity to refine your craft — and submit your copy on time. You’d be amazed how many people stumble at the first hurdle! It’s also a good idea to read as much as you can to develop your eye for story hooks, headlines and angles.
What have you found most rewarding about immersing yourself in a new culture and thriving arts scene?
Becoming part of a new network of brilliant women bossing it in the arts. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to meet inspiring gallerists and curators, collectors and writers who are spotlighting contemporary Turkish artists that I’d never come across before. I’ve fallen head over heels for Istanbul and love learning more about its rich and varied layers.
Image of Burcak Bingol in her studio in Istanbul ahead of her show at Tate St Ives. Image: Nazli Erdemirel.
Can you tell us about any projects and events that should be on our radar?
September and October are two of the busiest months in the art world calendar so there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into in both London and Istanbul. Of all the arts & design events in London this autumn, I’m most looking forward to the major Chanel retrospective at the V&A (opens 16th September) and the inaugural Women In Art Fair (11-14 October), a Frieze Week satellite event dedicated to redressing the imbalance in the art industry. I’ll be back in Istanbul at the end of September for Contemporary Istanbul, Turkey’s leading art fair.
What are your evening plans? How do you wind down after your busy day?
When I’m in London, I tend to attend work events in the evening as there’s always a gallery view, book launch or talk taking place. But when I’m in Istanbul, you’ll usually find me with a large glass of red in front of an episode of trash TV. I will admit to having seen nearly every dating reality tv show on Netflix.