Press Release: 27 March 2018
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIR OF THE BOARD
The Trustees of The Hepworth Wakefield have appointed internationally acclaimed design critic, Alice Rawsthorn OBE as the new Chair of The Hepworth Wakefield.
Rawsthorn will take up the role in May 2018 when the gallery’s first Chair, David Liddiment steps down after a seven year term.
David Liddiment, current Chair of The Hepworth Wakefield Board, said: “On behalf of The Hepworth Wakefield Board, I am delighted to announce Alice Rawsthorn as its new Chair. Alice has a wealth of experience and knowledge both as a Chair and Trustee of arts organisations that will be hugely beneficial to realising the gallery’s ambitious plans in the coming years.”
On being appointed as Chair of The Hepworth Wakefield, Alice Rawsthorn said: “As a proud northerner, who is passionate about the arts I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Chair of The Hepworth Wakefield. The gallery has achieved so much in such a short time, and I am delighted by the prospect of being able to contribute to its future development and growth.”
Rawsthorn has broad experience in arts governance, working for seven years as a trustee of Arts Council England, and serving on the board of the Whitechapel Gallery for over 20 years. She currently chairs the boards of trustees of Chisenhale Gallery and the contemporary dance group Michael Clark Company.
Born in Manchester, Rawsthorn graduated in art history from the University of Cambridge. Awarded an OBE for services to design and the arts, she is an honorary senior fellow of the Royal College of Art and has an honorary doctorate from the University of the Arts. As a Financial Times journalist for 18 years, Rawsthorn pioneered its coverage of the creative industries and worked as a foreign correspondent in Paris. For the last 12 years, she has written on design for the New York Times, which syndicated her weekly column worldwide. The author of a number of successful books on design, Rawsthorn is an influential public speaker at important global events including TED and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
ENDS
MEDIA & IMAGE ENQUIRIES:
Alice Evans, Rees & Co T: +44 (0)20 3137 8776 E: [email protected]
Ryan Johnson, Communications Officer, The Hepworth Wakefield T: +44 (0)1924 247393 E: [email protected]
ABOUT THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD
The Hepworth Wakefield is an award-winning art gallery in the heart of Yorkshire, set within Wakefield’s historic waterfront, overlooking the River Calder. Designed by the acclaimed David Chipperfield Architects, the gallery opened in May 2011 and has already welcomed nearly 2 million visitors. The gallery was named Art Fund Museum of the Year in July 2017. Named after Barbara Hepworth, one of the most important artists of the 20th century who was born and brought up in Wakefield, the gallery presents major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art. It also is home to Wakefield’s art collection – an impressive compendium of modern British and contemporary art – and has dedicated galleries exploring Hepworth’s art and working process.
The Hepworth Wakefield is funded by Wakefield Council and Arts Council, England