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Starring role for landlady who became queen of the art scene
Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard17.04.08
A pub landlady described as one of the most influential figures on London's art scene will become a star of the screen at this year's East End Film Festival.
The festival, which starts tonight, includes a documentary on Sandra Esqulant, who has run the Golden Heart in Spitalfields for nearly 30 years.
Mrs Esqulant, who was voted 80th on a list of the capital's 100 most influential figures in the art world by Art Review magazine, serves regulars including Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, David Pugh and Gilbert and George.
Pugh, who gave her the nickname "queen of the art scene", said she was friendly and interesting and her pub was "a warm hearth that artists gravitate to".
Mrs Esqulant said: "I haven't seen the documentary yet and I am almost terrified to go and see it. But they filmed me being me - what can you do?
"I wouldn't call myself a star. It is hilarious that I am in the documentary - I am just a publican. "I have run the pub for 29 years and I think they thought I would make an interesting subject.
"They filmed me quite a bit on different occasions over a few months, including my 60th birthday party and my mad moments. I didn't even know they were filming me - that's the type of person I am. I can't even remember who came into the pub at the time of filming, I just carried on working."
Mrs Esqulant was born within the sound of Bow bells - her father was a docker and her mother worked as a florist.
She married local man Dennis Esqulant, who worked for the Truman brewery in Brick Lane and dreamed of owning a pub. Together, they bought the Golden Heart.
The couple were hit badly in the Eighties recession but clung on to their business.
Mrs Esqulant's salvation came in the unlikely form of Gilbert and George, who bought a house round the corner in Fournier Street.
She said: "Gilbert and George are my neighbours and friends and I have known them for years. I do quite a bit of collecting of art and the regulars here give things to me, like one-offs and presents. They are a great bunch. Most of the pieces are upstairs - I almost have a gallery up there.
"I like so many of the artists' works I couldn't pick one as a favourite."
The landlady, who has three grownup-children, will join Ralf Little, Anne-Marie Duff, Phyllida Law and Rupert Graves at the Rich Mix Centre in Bethnal Green this evening for the launch of the festival.
The week-long event will start with a film about the lives of love-struck Londoners, a British drama called the Waiting Room.
Other highlights include a documentary on Spitz, the Spitalfields' music venue which was forced to close last year for redevelopment of the market.
