SYDNEY.- ‘We are pleased to announce Paris Neilson as a Board Director of the Biennale of Sydney,’ said Chairman Luca Belgiorno-Nettis. ‘An avid collector and supporter of contemporary – especially Chinese – art, Paris joins the Board as its youngest member; she will no doubt bring a new level of energy and perspective.’

Paris Neilson said: ‘I am delighted to join a groundbreaking organisation, which is vital to Sydney’s and Australia’s cultural life. I look forward to working with my fellow Board Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Marah Braye, to continue building on the Biennale’s success.’

Marah Braye, Chief Executive Officer, Biennale of Sydney, said: ‘Paris Neilson’s knowledge, passion and dedication to contemporary art will be a great asset to the Biennale. Under her management, the White Rabbit Gallery has become a well-respected and much-loved private gallery space in Sydney. We are thrilled to welcome Paris to the Board and look forward to working with her.’

As Gallery Manager of the White Rabbit Collection, Paris Neilson has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. The collection, founded in 2000 by her mother Judith Neilson, is now recognised as one of the largest and most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world. The White Rabbit Gallery opened in 2009 and has since become one of Sydney’s premier cultural attractions. Paris Neilson has been involved in the gallery since plans were first drawn up to transform an old inner-city factory into a place where the collection could be shared with all Australians.

Paris is a passionate supporter of culture and the arts in Australia. She is a member of the Young Ambassadors’ Committee, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney and a member of the Fundraising Committee at 4A, Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney.

The Biennale of Sydney continues to play a central role in developing visual arts culture in Australia and connecting artists from around the world.

Every two years, the Biennale of Sydney is presented free to the public over a twelve-week period. As Australia’s largest and most exciting contemporary visual arts event, the Biennale attracted more than 517,000 visits in 2010.

The 18th Biennale of Sydney (2012) will celebrate the organisation’s 39th anniversary. Alongside the Venice and São Paolo biennales and documenta, it is one of the longest running exhibitions of its kind and was the first biennale to be established in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has provided an international platform for innovative and challenging contemporary art, showcasing the work of more than 1500 artists from over 83 countries.

The 18th Biennale of Sydney: all our relations will be presented from 27 June – 16 September 2012. Curated by Artistic Directors, Catherine de Zegher and Gerald McMaster, the 18th Biennale of Sydney will be an innovative conversation – bringing together international artists to collaborate and create works that are expressive of new thinking and art making.