Marlborough Chelsea is changing its name to Marlborough Contemporary and will merge with Marlborough Contemporary in London for a more comprehensive contemporary art program. The gallery has also announced an expanded directorial staff.
“This is a consolidation of our contemporary program,” principal director Max Levai explained in a phone interview with artnet News. “Up until now it was two galleries, one in New York and an independent program in London. There was very little overlap between the two galleries, there were different artists and different policies. Starting in late April they will operate under a unified policy. London will be an extension of what my colleagues and I do in New York. Our name will be Marlborough Contemporary in both New York and London, going forward.”
In New York, Levai and fellow director Pascal Spengemann have been joined by director Nichole Caruso, formerly of Wallspace Gallery and Lisa Cooley Gallery. Leo Fitzpatrick will continue to oversee the adjacent Viewing Room gallery. Ed Spurr, formerly of Matthew Marks, will join Marlborough Contemporary as a director in London.
The New York space will continue to present a full roster of diverse shows. “The Exile at Home,” a comprehensive exhibition of paintings by R.B. Kitaj opens on March 4. Future exhibitions for the year ahead include work by Julius Von Bismarck, Anne Neukamp, Ivana Basic, and Keith Mayerson and Celeste Depuy-Spencer.
Installation view of “Far Out” at Marlborough Chelsea. Courtesy of Marlborough Contemporary.
The first season of London programming will center on a diverse selection of living artists, mostly from the US, and all of whom will be presenting their first solo exhibitions in London. The first show, planned to open on April 27, will feature new work by Sarah Braman. On June 1, the London space will open the first comprehensive European solo exhibition by New Zealand artist Susan Te Kahurangi King, organized by Chris Byrne, co-founder of the Dallas Art Fair.
“I’m honored to be able to continue to make exhibitions with artists we really believe in, and we’re really grateful for the platform, ” added Levai. “We’re really excited for the end of April to start our program in London.”