When Mitch Cairns met Agatha Gothe-Snape, he was immediately captivated by her presence and artistic spirit. Their initial encounter at an artist-run gallery in Redfern, Sydney, marked the beginning of a unique connection that went beyond friendship. This story highlights a memorable moment involving an empty chip packet that symbolized the start of their relationship.
The Moment I Realized: The Empty Chip Packet Exchange
The first time Mitch saw Agatha, she was standing in a knee-high bucket of water wearing a knitted jumper that read “Ho Ho Ho.” The gallery space was otherwise empty, making her presence striking and unforgettable. Mitch, a graduate of the National Art School, found her work and demeanor completely new and arresting.
Weeks later, after being introduced by mutual friends, Mitch and Agatha began to talk more. Despite suggestions that she apply to the National Art School, Mitch believed she was already a brilliant artist and did not need further formal education. Their conversations revealed Agatha’s deep understanding of creative life and her charismatic personality.
One evening at the Hollywood Hotel in Surry Hills, Agatha expressed interest in buying a painting Mitch had created—a piece on raw linen depicting a foot with a smiley face. Mitch, charmed by her interest, jokingly told her that all she needed to offer in exchange was a bag of chips to share with their drinks.
Shortly after, Mitch delivered the painting to Agatha’s home. Instead of a typical payment, she returned an empty chip packet that she had shrunk in the oven and placed inside a vintage cigarette tin along with a note. This playful and absurd exchange was not a declaration of love but marked the beginning of something deeper between them. It was a moment of clarity that showed they shared a unique language and connection.
Life Together and Lasting Symbols
The vibrant Sydney art scene at the time was alive with energy, and Agatha was one of its brightest lights. Mitch recalls how relationships then were formed face-to-face in galleries, bars, and parties rather than through apps. Within six months, they were living together, and their relationship has continued to grow over nearly two decades.
Today, the painting Agatha wanted hangs in their bedroom, and the cigarette tin with the empty chip packet sits on a kitchen shelf in their home, where they live with their son. These objects serve as lasting reminders of their early days and the playful, genuine connection that sparked their life together.
Mitch Cairns continues to be an active artist, with a survey exhibition of his work titled Artist’s Mouth showing at the National Art School Gallery in Sydney and later at the Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane.