Yana Peel has resigned as CEO of London’s Serpentine Galleries, citing ‘toxic personal attacks’ as the reason for her decision to step down.
In a statement published on 18 June, the Serpentine Galleries thanked Peel for her work. A press view for Junya Ishigami’s new Serpentine Pavilion, scheduled to take place that morning was postponed. London’s Evening Standard quoted Peel as stating that ‘if campaigns of this type continue, the treasures of the art community … risk an erosion of private support’.
On 28 June, ArtAsiaPacific reported that Peel stepped down from her role as a board member of Hong Kong gallery Para Site. She remains on the ‘partners & friends’ list for Spring Workshop, and is a member of the advisory board for Asia Art Archive.
18 June 2019
Updated 18 February 2020: This story previously referenced an article published by the Guardian newspaper. Following a legal complaint, the Guardian removed its article of 14 June 2019 and apologised to Mrs Peel. ArtReview is happy to clarify that Yana Peel is not, and was not, personally involved in the operation or decisions of the regulated Novalpina Capital investment fund, which is managed by her husband Stephen Peel, and others. Mrs Peel was not involved in any decision-making relating to the fund’s acquisition of NSO. Mrs Peel only has a small, indirect and passive interest in the fund. She does not own, whether directly or indirectly, any Novalpina Capital entity or any stake in NSO Group.
