The Hepworth Wakefield in West Yorkshire, one of the UK\u2019s most important regional galleries, has appointed two new co-directors: Olivia Colling in the role of executive director, and Laura Smith as artistic director. Colling joined The Hepworth Wakefield as the director of communications and development in 2015\u00a0while Smith began as the director of collection and exhibitions in 2022.<\/p>\n
Post-pandemic, Colling has overseen the commercial income-generating arm of the organisation and the development of the gallery\u2019s capital projects, says a statement. She was previously head of press and corporate communications at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.<\/p>\n
Smith has \u201cstrategically grown Hepworth Wakefield\u2019s art collection, focusing on filling historic gaps\u201d. She presented a retrospective of works by Helen Chadwick in 2025 and later this year will unveil a show of works by the late Indian sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee (23 May-1 November). Smith was previously a curator at Tate and Whitechapel Gallery in London.<\/p>\n
The appointments are timely as the gallery celebrates its 15th\u00a0anniversary this year, presenting two new exhibitions that draw on the collection including Modern Art and Modern Life: Highlights from Wakefield\u2019s Modern British Collection\u00a0opening in March.<\/p>\n
Steve Langan, the chair of The Hepworth Wakefield Trust, says in a statement:\u00a0\u201c[Colling and Smith] have proven success at fundraising and growing commercial income, are well networked locally and nationally, and are building the gallery\u2019s reputation internationally through our expanding touring programme.\u201d<\/p>\n