INTERVIEW: GEORGE 'NO DIALOGUE' GREATHEAD
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve had to tell George Greathead to be quiet, I would have zero dollars. George doesn’t say much, denHolm's first employee, Instagram's most loved and arguably Steven's favourite - twisted as that love may be...
And like all good pure loves, it was born out of an unsolicited DM on Instagram, or an email - the details are dusty.
What was going to be 'An Interview With' denHolm’s most elusive Head Sculptor, (thank me later George). Has evolved into 'A Conversation With' because George does a lot of thinking between words and Morgan does not.
PRE INTERVIEW
[MORGAN LIES TO GEORGE ASSURING HIM SHE IS NOT RECORDING HIM]
[GEORGE TOUCHES PHONE SCREEN SEES RECORDING IN PROGRESS]
m — Of course I'm recording, how am I going to remember all this!?
g — (laughing nervously)
m— George, this is an interview and it is to be taken seriously.
g — (laughing nervously continues) You’ve already lied to me.
m — I’ve lost your trust. It’s an interview but it will be written word.
INTERVIEW
Tell me the story of how you started working with Steve?
g — I just found Steve on instagram and sent him a message.
m — You sent him DM or an email?
g — Uhhh I think I sent him an email. Would it be better on record if I said it was a DM?
m — I’d like if it was a DM. I’d like to know who else your DM-ing just out of the blue. What did the email say?
g — Is there cameras set up in here?
[In this exact moment Steve is scaling the window behind George, holding his iPhone like some sort of perverted Spiderman]
m — I have no cameras in here. That I know of.
g — The email took me quite a while and I think Steve actually replied, “are you strong?” with an emoji. (💪)
g — Yeah I didn’t know what to say back to it cause he sent an emoji (💪) and I was like fuck… Oh actually, he called me up…to chat about it. I couldn’t understand what he was saying.
m- Because of his accent or?
g — Yes and I was actually in a very like, a parking lot next to a main road. So it wasn’t the best place to take a call. There was a lot of awkward silences, he’d ask a question and then I’d laugh or like he’d laugh and I would ask one. And I was like “oh I’ll have to book my flights then” and he was like “oh what, what do you mean?”
m — How soon after this conversation did you come and work?
g — I probably came like the week after.
m — Good god.
g — Yeah I remember leaving and Mum was like ‘alright…’. I think she fully expected me to be back very soon. I was coming down for 2 weeks, just for a trial.
What the fuck was your first impression when you first started working with Steve - off the record? [not off the record]
g — Well I remember I was meant to be working that day, on Monday or whatever and he was like “oh sorry I’ve got like a big meeting in Sydney” or some load of shit.
m — He was probably hungover or something.
g — I actually thought he would be a lot shorter and fatter.
m — Really? Was he not getting very flattering photos or what?
g — I thought he was a short fat man.
m — What were you doing in Brisbane prior to moving here?
g — (laughing) Hmmm, not much.
m — How old were you when you moved?
g — (silence) [does math both mentally and out loud].
Must of been just after my 20th birthday. I think it was November.
m — Wow, three years is a long time. So you wanna stay or?
g — Is this an interview or an evaluation?
m — I think we’re actually going to let you go...(laughs) It sort of depends on how the interview goes.
What made you want to work at denHolm?
g — I liked what he [Steve] was making.
What has been your favourite piece?
g — Probably Melissa Marshall’s table.
g - This is very uhhhhhhhh — [George is looking at Morgan uncertainly].
m — I know.
Can you read the last text message you sent to Steve?
g — ‘Theres heaps of those black spots everywhere.'
What did you have for lunch today George?
g — Um, I had a steak sandwich.
m — With fries?
g — Yes, with fries.
(steak sandwich)
How would you describe your relationship with Steve? To a friend or maybe a psychologist.
g — Oh I don’t know. How would you describe it?
[thinking] [continues thinking]
m — I feel like you’re holding back right now George.
g — (laughs) Um wholesome?
m — What wholesome no way? Oh actually.
g— My relationship with Steve... Invasive.
photo: @mqrgs
Name two other things you would rather be doing right now than this interview?
g — (laughing) (thinking) I wouldn’t mind playing pool… and…(extended pause)…dancing.
Drew just started working with you, did you have any wisdom to pass on or any advice?
g — Get out. (pause)
God I’m not really giving you much am I.
m — It's OK, you're giving me about what I expected.
What was your first job ever?
g — I’ve only ever had two jobs. I was just helping out my cousin before really. He was building a deck. It wasn’t even for very long, and I remember he didn’t pay me as well.
One designer you like right now?
g — Delphi? Is that it? - [George means] @dauphinette.nyc
If there is a God and you can ask him one question what is it?
g — Who ate my Caramel Slice last week?
Its your perfect weather day, what is it?
g — Oh wow, oh.
m — Oh for fucks sake George, this is easy.
g — What is the weather…? Sun has got to be shining I guess. Temperature is about 30, (long pause) maybe even 32.
m — Low humidity though?
g — Very low humidity. Bit of a storm in the afternoon though briefly, and then it goes back to nice.
If you were going to think about making one thing, your future self, anything you're thinking about?
g — maybe a coat hanger.
m — made of stone?
g — maybe, or maybe out of glass.
m — Ok thanks for entertaining me.
Is there anything else you wanna get the word out on? Any misconceptions you want to clear up?
g — Uhhhh no, I’ve stopped looking at the stories from denHolm.
m — That’s great I’ll make sure to make a note of that in the interview.
g — what was the question again?
Oh yes I almost forgot —
Fuck, Marry, Kill? Drew, John, Steven?
g — Fuck - Steven, not many people get to say they’ve fucked their boss.
Marry - Drew, I think he would treat me right.
Kill - John, I think we would both enjoy it.
Editors note: George later admitted it was not true he no longer watches the denHolm instagram stories. He watches and enjoys them thoroughly.