What I’ve learned: Colin Kemp, doorman at Christie’s in London
As the first man you meet at 8 King Street prepares for retirement in March 2023 after 25 years, he reflects on Francis Bacon, James Bond and the day he met Madonna
I spent nine years working at Whitehall, providing security for British government ministers. I joined Christie’s on 30 March 1998 and have never looked back.
I come in, in the morning, around about 5.30. I am one of the first people in the building. I put my jacket on, I put my tie on, and then I put my cap on. Then I am ready to go up, at 8.30, to the reception.
I spend the whole day outside, welcoming people. The only time I’m inside is when furniture or artworks are being delivered. I always encourage people in the street to come in, look around and enjoy themselves — and of course, have a free coffee!
When you’re on the door, it’s never quiet. In the 25 years I’ve been here, Christie’s has changed a lot. Today we have more sales and more visitors than ever before. I’m always talking to people.
I try to see exhibitions before they open. I often work on a Saturday morning, when the art handlers are setting up. I don’t like to get in their way, but once they’re finished, I have a quick look around before we open to the public at 12 o’clock.
‘The most important thing about being a doorman is meeting and greeting everyone — treat everyone exactly the same, keep on smiling and always have a great sense of humour’
James Bond’s car was amazing. I didn’t see the auction, because I was on the door welcoming people in. You can always feel the excitement when they arrive. They come with smiles on their faces.
I’m a proper Cockney. I was born in the East End of London — within the sound of the Bow bells, as they say. I’ve since moved out to Essex — my wife wanted to buy a house. It’s far away, but I travel in by motorbike every day. It can be dangerous, depending on the other drivers. Nowadays, everyone seems to be in a hurry.
Colin Kemp was immortalised in a work by specialist Robert Brown for the Christie’s 2019 staff art show auction
Robert Brown, Colin. Mixed media. Sold for £500 on 8 August 2019 at Christie’s Online. ‘I put a bid in for it, but never won it. But I was close’
I’m not a worrier. I never think about what might happen, because I’m always positive about life — never negative. I find my day-to-day job exciting.
I don’t feel the cold. Everyone who comes to the door in winter says I should be wearing my big coat. A few years ago, I gave in and put one on just for a week. It’s very rare that I get a cold, but I thought they might be right.
‘I just wish I was 20 years younger so I could have another 20 years at Christie’s’
If I could have bought anything at Christie’s it would have been Francis Bacon’s triptychs. I don’t know much about art, but I think they’re absolutely wonderful. There’s just something about them. When I saw them, I knew they’d sell.
I treat everyone the same. We had an intern once who said, ‘Colin, please don’t hold the door for me.’ But I told him I treat everyone who comes through Christie’s doors equally. He never forgot that. Now he occasionally comes in as a client.
I always remember people. A client came in a few years ago and was shocked when I greeted her by name — the last time she’d been to Christie’s in London was almost a decade previously.
‘I’m going to miss everybody... we’ve been here for such a long time and to me it’s like a family’
I was nominated in 2019 for the Doorman of the Year award. To get nominated is one thing, but to win it was another thing. What I was so pleased about was not just winning it for me, but the most important thing was winning it for Christie’s.
Madonna is one of my idols. I loved it when she came in with her friends — it must have been about 15 years ago. I would have loved to have had my photo taken with her, but it’s a line I’ll never cross.
Twenty-five years is a long time. I just wish I was 20 years younger so I could have another 20 years at Christie’s.