Artist Gabriella Slattery is head of ArtworkLondon which recently showcased paintings at the old Cavours hardware store in Highgate. Last month, she was involved in a hit-and-run accident and broke both her arms. She has lived in Highgate for four years.

Artist Gabriella Slattery is head of ArtworkLondon which recently showcased paintings at the old Cavours hardware store in Highgate. Last month, she was involved in a hit-and-run accident and broke both her arms. She has lived in Highgate for four years.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO WORK IN HIGHGATE?

Because it's my local community and, basically, when I spotted the empty shop spaces, I wanted to exhibit with other friends of mine who are artists. We saw the space and thought, 'Let's go for it.'

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT HIGHGATE?

It's like living in a country village in the centre of London. It's order in the midst of chaos.

WHAT IS MISSING FROM HIGHGATE?

A gallery, but not just any gallery - an ArtworkLondon gallery. And a helipad, I've always wanted to have a helicopter.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SHOPS IN HIGHGATE?

It used to be the ArtworkLondon gallery - the next one coming will be around the same vicinity hopefully. It was a place where the community could get together and come and go.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT?

Al Parco, on West Hill. The food is really good, it's reasonably priced and the staff are really nice. They are not grumpy and are always really friendly. It helps the digestion.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL PUB?

The Flask in Highgate - because it is not crowded, or at least when I go in it isn't. I like the décor and the atmosphere in there. I also like the Angel Inn because it's quieter.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE AREA AT WEEKENDS?

Run on the Heath with all the other hounds. I like hanging out on the Heath and swimming in the ponds in summer.

IF YOU WERE MAYOR FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I would encourage landlords to give empty shop spaces over to artists - while they're empty, of course. Then as soon as the spaces were let, the artists would move out.

IF YOU HAD TO TWIN HIGHGATE WITH ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?

Montmartre, Paris - it's artistic, lot of cultured people around, writers and artists. Highgate's like that, everybody's literary or artistic or musical. They are both on a hill and both overlook the rest of the city and have an eclectic mix of people.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

I'm reading a book called Monsieur de St George by Alain Guédé.

WHAT WOULD YOUR EPITAPH BE?

Spike Milligan nicked it - "I told you I was ill."

IF YOU HAD A MILLION POUNDS TO SPEND IN A DAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I'd buy a huge gallery space so I could allow artists to put their work up for free - so they can benefit from their own talent without other people exploiting them. Without the need to 'sell' it, people could be brave and true with their art.