The 85-year-old living in her own art installation

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The 85-year-old living in her own art installationImage caption, Colourful octogenarian Sue Kreitzman thinks wearing beige might be fatalByAnna O'NeillLondonPublished1 hour agoSue Kreitzman was not always an artist. By her own account, the 85-year-old, originally from New York, "flunked" every art class she ever took, from elementary school to high school. It was at the age of 58, after successful careers as a teacher, cookbook author and TV chef that Kreitzman's life took a different path.

While looking over the proofs for her latest cookbook, she picked up a marker and drew a mermaid. She said: "I looked at the mermaid and the mermaid looked at me and I gave her a fish for a hat. She was in charge, not me.

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The mermaid took over my life. "I never wrote another cookbook. I got obsessed with drawing.

" Figure caption, London YouTube: The 85-Year-Old Living Inside Her Own Art Installation | How I Live in LondonKreitzman's Mile End house is filled from top to bottom with pictures and sculptures, on every colourful wall, on every table, in every room and corridor. It is an art installation she lives in. She has a housekeeper, but how does she manage to keep everything dust free?

"A little at a time," she replied. Image caption, The heads in this display each have a soul, according to SueKreitzman also has a curator - Jaime Freestone , external- who often stays over and keeps displays like the one with a multitude of ancient Egyptian busts and doll heads in order. Freestone became her curator after reaching out to Kreitzman over email for advice and mentorship, and is now one of her closest friends.

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"When I first came here, I used to find it a bit overwhelming - like oh my goodness, all this stuff," said Freestone. "Now it's like a second home to me. It's one of those safe spaces for people who are LGBT, people who are looking to be mentored.

Sue offers that safe space for us. "Image caption, Jaime Freestone says Kreitzman's home is a safe space for LGBT peopleOne of the things Kreitzman is rarely seen without is a neck shrine, a chunky personalised sculpture to wear around the neck. Kreitzman has made hundreds - if not more than a thousand - of them.

I was given the chance to make one of my own in her back garden workshop. Kreitzman gave me a Masai beaded collar, bought ethically from a female Kenyan designer, to work with. "It has to mean something to you," said Kreitzman of the customised design.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.