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Victoria Siddall (born 1977) is a gallerist, environmental activist, and founding director of Frieze Masters art fair. She was appointed director of the National Portrait Gallery in London in August 2024.[1] She is a co-founder of environmental campaign groups the Gallery Climate Coalition and Murmur.[2][3]
Victoria Siddall | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1977 or 1978 (age 46–47) Northern Ireland, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | University of Bristol |
| Occupation | Gallerist |
| Title | Director, National Portrait Gallery |
| Term | 2014- |
| Predecessor | Nicholas Cullinan |
| Partner | François Chantala |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and education
Siddall was born in Northern Ireland, and as her father was in the army, the family lived in several countries.[4] She was educated at boarding school from the age of 8.[5]
Siddall earned a bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Bristol.[6][4]
Career
After university, Siddall worked for British auction house Christie's for over three years.[4] In 2004, she joined London's Frieze Art Fair, and in 2012 was the founding director of Frieze Masters art fair, before becoming Global Director, overseeing all of Frieze's art fair operations, in London and New York, from 2014, and launching Frieze Seoul in in 2022.[7][8]
She joined the trustee board of Studio Voltaire, London, in 2012, and served as chair of the board of trustees between 2012-2024.[8]
In August 2024, she became the thirteenth director of London's National Portrait Gallery,[8] the first woman to be appointed to the role.[9] She previously served as a Trustee.[3] She succeeded Nicholas Cullinan, who had left the role to become director of the British Museum.[1]
Environmental campaigning
In October 2020, Siddall co-founded the Gallery Climate Coalition.[3] In 2024, Siddall co-founded the green campaign group Murmur, that encourages arts and music organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and 'cut ties' with fossil fuel companies.[2]
Personal life
She lives in Lambeth SE1, with her long-term partner François Chantala and their daughter.[6] They met in 2000, when they were both working at Christie's.[5] Chantala is a gallerist from Limoges, France, and a director at Thomas Dane in London.[5]
References
- ^ a b Bakare, Lanre (28 August 2024). "Victoria Siddall becomes National Portrait Gallery's first female director". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ a b Malvern, Jack (30 August 2024). "National Portrait Gallery's new boss wants to cut fossil fuel ties". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Victoria Siddall on why the arts need to step up to battle climate change". Harper's BAZAAR. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Clark, Nick (10 October 2014). "Victoria Siddall interview: Meet the new kid on the block at Frieze art fairs". The Independent. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Roux, Caroline (12 May 2015). "The Fairest of Them All". W magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b Acharya, Dipal (4 October 2018). "My London: Victoria Siddall". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Guiducci, Mark (14 October 2014). "Meet Victoria Siddall, the Wunderkind Director of Frieze and Frieze Masters". Vogue. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Victoria Siddall appointed new director of the National Portrait Gallery" (PDF). National Portrait Gallery. 28 August 2024.
- ^ Dunne, John (29 August 2024). "Victoria Siddall appointed National Portrait Gallery's first female boss". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 August 2024.