LONDON.- The Photographers’ Gallery announced that Shoair Mavlian has been appointed as its new Director. Currently Director at Photoworks, Shoair will take up the post in January 2023.
As Director of Photoworks Shoair leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation including exhibitions, biennial festival, commissions, learning and engagement, publishing and digital content.
From 2011-2018 Shoair was Assistant Curator, Photography and International Art at Tate Modern, London, where she curated exhibitions including ‘Don McCullin’ (2019) ‘Shape of Light: 100 Years of Photography and Abstract Art’ (2018), ‘The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection’ (2016), ‘Conflict, Time, Photography’ (2014). While at Tate Modern she helped build the photography collection and curated collection displays enjoyed by over 5 million visitors per year.
Shoair was named in Apollo Magazine’s 40 under 40 Europe – Thinkers. She has a background in fine art photography practice and the history of photography focussing on the twentieth century, emerging contemporary practice, and work related to conflict and memory.
Matthew Stephenson, Chair of Trustees, The Photographers’ Gallery said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I’m thrilled that Shoair Mavlian will lead The Photographers’ Gallery in its next chapter. As Director of Photoworks, Shoair has shown her commitment to commissioning new work, opening up photography to new audiences and activating debate about the power and relevance of photography today. This valuable experience coupled with an ambitious vision for the future of TPG, will ensure the Gallery continues to showcase the very best of international photography and inspire future generations. I have no doubt that Shoair will bring passion and drive to lead TPG and build on the exceptional legacy of departing Director Brett Rogers. In her 16 years leading TPG, Brett has tirelessly championed photography for all and made TPG one of the most dynamic, relevant and exciting cultural spaces in London today.”
Shoair Mavlian said: “The Photographers’ Gallery is a much-loved cornerstone for the photography community locally and internationally, I’m thrilled to be stepping into this role at a pivotal moment in the organisation’s history, having just celebrated its 50th anniversary. I look forward to working with the trustees and team to develop the important legacies of the directors before me, building a welcoming and inclusive home for photography and photographers in London for everyone to enjoy.”
Shoair will take up TPG’s reins following the recent launch of its new, permanent outdoor exhibition space, Soho Photography Quarter, which will feature a new display of large-scale works by Gideon Mendel from November 2022. The Autumn season exhibitions are Chris Killip, retrospective and An Alternative History of Photography: Works from the Solander Collection, both open until 19 February 2023. The internationally renowned Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize will return to TPG on 3 March 2023, exhibiting work by the four shortlisted artists for 2023.
Founded in 1971, The Photographers’ Gallery (TPG) champions photography for everyone. In the heart of central London and home to an international community of photographers, the Gallery explores photography in all its forms, with a diverse and critically acclaimed programme of exhibitions, events and courses. The UK’s first independent gallery devoted to photography, TPG was first to exhibit many key names in international photography, including Juergen Teller, Helen Levitt, Rinko Kawauchi, Gordon Parks, Sebastião Salgado and Andreas Gursky. The Gallery has also been instrumental in establishing contemporary British photographers, including Martin Parr and Corinne Day. Over the past five decades TPG has helped to establish photography as a recognised art form, introducing new audiences to photography and celebrating its place at the heart of visual culture.
