This study considers the future of the gallery as a principle means to show, promote and sell the work of contemporary artists. It acknowledges new and developing models for artists and gallerists through a close interrogation of the art business.
I worked as a curator in the public sector for 13 years (last post was at Camden Arts Centre) and curated the Wales at Venice Pavillion (with John Cale) in 2009. I co-founded Ancient & Modern, a gallery combining the curatorial with the commercial, in 2006 and left to pursue that full time in 2009 after the Venice Biennale. After 60 exhibitions and 40 art fairs, I moved out of the small 2nd floor Mayfair space I had inhabited for the 2016, and halted the programme, citing lack of sales and interest from collectors. My PhD is born from that and the need to find new ways of doing things.