Chisenhale Gallery Taps Edward Gillman as Its Next Director
139March 12, 2025
London’sChisenhale Gallery, a contemporary arts space known for commissioning and supporting international and UK-based artists, has announcedEdward Gillmanas its new director. Gillman arrives to the gallery from Auto Italia,a visual arts nonprofit centering queer studies and social change, where he spent eleven years, two as codirector and, most recently, five as director. He succeeds Zoé Whitley, whodepartedthe Chisenhale Gallery earlier this month after five years in the role, which sheassumedjust weeks before the Covid-19 crisis enveloped the world.
“I am delighted to welcome Edward Gillman as director. Edward brings a singular vision, understanding of Chisenhale Gallery’s context and innovative approach to the role,” said Chisenhale Gallery board chair May Calil in a statement. “During his time at Auto Italia, he curated an inspired program, increased their settlement in Arts Council England’s 2023–2026 investment in National Portfolio Organizations, and navigated the upheaval of Covid, highlighting his proactive, thoughtful, and clear approach to leadership. The Board of Trustees and the team look forward to working with Edward to secure the gallery’s future premises and maintain its position as the UK’s foremost space for commissioning artists.”
In his new role, Gillman will oversee the Chisenhale’s social practice projects and its commissions program, which this year comprises new exhibitions by Claudia Pagès Rabal, Dan Guthrie, and Grant Mooney.
“It’s a true privilege to step into the role of director at Chisenhale Gallery, an institution with an extraordinary legacy shaped by generations of visionary artists and directors,” said Gillman in a statement. “As the gallery approaches its forty-fifth anniversary, I am looking forward to carrying forward its founding spirit of experimental making and diverse critical thinking, and deepening the special relationships it holds locally and globally with a committed community of artists, supporters, partners and audiences.”