Why Artists Can’t Hide Their DNA and Need Community to Thrive with Jennifer Higgie
Episode 65
02 December, 2024

In this episode, we’re joined by the extraordinary Jennifer Higgie—Australian writer, editor, and former editorial director of Frieze magazine. With a voice that has shaped contemporary art writing for over two decades, Jennifer shares her journey into publishing, beginning with a lifelong fascination for still life painting and an early admiration for artists such as Giorgio Morandi and John Cage. These influences, along with a deep interest in repetition as a formal device, led to her first published article and a 23-year career at Frieze, where she rose from reviews editor to editor-at-large.

Jennifer offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the editorial process at Frieze—how reviews and exhibitions were selected, how writers were nurtured, and how editorial standards evolved. She talks candidly about the dual role of being both editor and writer, and how the label “critic” has always made her uneasy. Instead, she sees herself as an “enthusiast”—someone who brings genuine passion to the conversation about art.

Throughout this episode, we explore her disciplined and structured writing process, her reflections on writing a critical review of a Damien Hirst show, and the importance of rigour, research, and deadlines in her creative practice. Jennifer also shares her thoughts on vulnerability, emotional stamina, and the act of putting your work into the world—even when it feels uncomfortable.

In recent years, Jennifer’s focus has turned to the overlooked histories of women artists. Her books The Mirror and the Palette and The Other Side examine women’s self-portraiture and the intersection of creativity and the spirit world. Through this lens, Jennifer reclaims space for forgotten or marginalised narratives and offers a more expansive and inclusive vision of art history.

What emerges from our conversation is a portrait of a creative life built on dedication, sensitivity, and deep care. Jennifer’s experiences remind us of the importance of discipline without rigidity, of reaching out to our peers, and of staying open to the strangeness and enchantment of the creative process.

What We Learned from Jennifer Higgie

1. You don’t need to earn your creative identity
   Jennifer reflects that she had her creative sensibility from the start—something many artists can relate to, even if they’ve spent years resisting or ignoring that part of themselves.
2. Being an outsider can be an advantage
   Jennifer’s position outside the mainstream gave her a unique voice and perspective. Rather than seeing it as a disadvantage, she used it to her creative benefit.
3. Discipline nurtures creativity
   From setting daily word counts to honouring strict deadlines, Jennifer shows that structure isn’t limiting—it’s a supportive framework that allows for deeper immersion and play.
4. Allow yourself to be dopey
   A key part of the process is not taking yourself too seriously. Jennifer encourages moments of looseness and lightness as a way to keep the creative spark alive.
5. Creative networks matter
   Jennifer reminds us how essential it is to have critical friends to lean on, share your work with, and support you over the long term. No one thrives creatively in isolation.
6. Know when to stop
   Burnout can be creativity’s greatest enemy. Jennifer advocates for balance—recognising when to pause, rest, and return with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

Listen to the full episode to discover how Jennifer Higgie’s path through writing, editing, and reimagining art history invites us to embrace our instincts, find our voice, and stay curious.