The Philadelphia Museum of Art has announced today that Eleanor Nairne has been appointed the Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Curator of
Modern and Contemporary Art. She will also be the department head of the modern and contemporary art department at the major American museum. Nairne joins the Philadelphia Museum of Art from the Barbican Art Gallery, where she has been for almost nine years, first as curator and then as senior curator. At the Barbican, she has curated exhibitions including Alice Neel: Hot Off The Griddle (2023), Soheila Sokhanvari: Rebel Rebel (2022) and Julianknxx’s commission for the Curve gallery Chorus in Rememory of Flight, which is on view through 11 February 2024. Before the Barbican, Nairne was curator of the Artangel Collection at Tate.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is famous for having the world’s largest collection of works by Marcel Duchamp and Nairne mentions the museum’s collection in her announcement, saying in the press release that she is ‘delighted to be joining the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum has an extraordinary collection and holds such a special place in the city and the broader art world. Having the opportunity to connect Philadelphia to international audiences through the museum’s incredible collection and program is a wonderful opportunity.’ A similar emphasis on a global perspective for the modern and contemporary art department was expressed by Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, who stated that ‘Eleanor’s global background and limitless curiosity are what the PMA needs as it moves into its future.’
Nairne will take on her new position at the end of this month.
