The Showroom announces new Director: Gabriela Salgado

The Showroom is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Director, Gabriela Salgado.

Born in Argentina and based in London, over her 30-year career Salgado has worked with an emphasis on the artistic scenes of the global South, developing projects in Latin America, Africa, Oceania and Southeast Asia, as well as focusing on research-based, experimental art practice and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The Showroom’s board of trustees, team and wide ecology of local, national and international artists, partners, peer organisations and supporters welcome Salgado at this pivotal moment on the cusp of The Showroom’s 40th anniversary year.

Salgado served as Artistic Director of Te Tuhi Contemporary Art, Aotearoa New Zealand (2017-2020), curator of public programmes at Tate Modern (2006-2011), curator of the Latin American Art Collection at Essex University, UECLAA (1999-2005), and directed the Fundació Llorens Artigas in Spain (1990-1995). As an independent curator and consultant, Salgado has directed Transatlantic Connections, a long-term programme of collaborations between African and Latin American artists. Other exhibitions highlights include Claudia Casarino, CAAM, Las Palmas, Spain, 2017; Embedded South(s) Moving image festival, Vietnam, 2016; Crosswords, Hangar, Portugal, 2016; A Serene Expectation of Light, Autograph ABP, London, 2016; Mogaje Guiju – Abel Rodríguez, Prince Claus Fund, NL, 2014; La Voix de la Voix dans la Voix, dance performance for the Dak’art Biennale, Senegal, 2014. She was a jury member for The Prince Claus Fund Awards, 2014-2016 and VideoBrasil Festival 2013. She was also a Guest Curator of Performance as Process at Delfina Foundation, London, 2015; Curator of La Otra Bienal, Bogotá, Colombia, 2013, and 2nd Biennale of Thessaloniki, Greece, 2009.

Andrew Renton, Chair of The Showroom’s Board of Trustees says:
For decades The Showroom has provided an engaging, collaborative programme that challenges what art can be and do. The Showroom’s Directors and Teams have brought that mission to life by bringing artists and publics together in meaningful and creative ways through ambitious, embedded and collaborative programming. 2023 will be The Showroom’s fortieth year and we are delighted Gabriela is joining the organisation leading into this milestone. Her curatorial practice is marked not only by depth of experience but also a courageous and generous vision, mapping out a truly global perspective of art practice and its discourses.

Regarding the appointment, Gabriela Salgado says:
I have followed The Showroom’s programme with interest over the years and am excited to contribute to its remarkable history. Its experimental and inclusive vocation particularly attracts me. I envisage a programme that will echo the challenges of our times, offer valuable opportunities for artists and audiences, and extend The Showroom’s reputation.