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news new StiLLS CU r atOr in november 2024, Vivienne Gamble was announced as the new director at Stills Centre for Photography, edinburgh, taking up the role at the beginning of this year. Gamble replaces Ben harman who held it for ten years before becoming Senior Curator of Photography at national Galleries of Scotland last year. Gamble undertook her Ma in Photography (history & theory) at Sotheby’s institute of art after a period of time working in marketing in the television industry. after graduating she founded Seen Fifteen Gallery, Peckham in 2015, focused on creating opportunities for early-career photographers, and ran it until its closure in 2023. She also co-founded Peckham 24 annual festival of contemporary photography in 2016 and remained artistic director when her new position at Stills was announced. She has also lectured in photography and exhibition practice at University of the arts, London.
Stills was founded in 1977. Chair of the board, Lewis Blackwell, emphasised Gamble’s success in building Peckham 24’s international reputation and ‘organisational and entrepreneurial abilities’ in what caught the panel’s attention. ‘to follow Ben harman in the director role, after he did so much to advance Stills over the past decade, will not be easy. we exist in very challenging times for the arts and funding. But we are confident that Vivienne can bring great strengths and fresh energy to Stills.’ with Gamble’s appointment, Peckham 24 is due to restructure as a Community interest Company with a new board of four Co-directors, including Gamble.
– Susanna Galbraith
MUSeUM reOPenS the national Science and Media Museum reopened to visitors on the 8 January after an 18 month closure. a £6 million project has paid for a renovated foyer space and two new permanent galleries which will open in June. the new Sound and Vision Galleries will play a role ‘showcasing key objects and stories from the museum’s world-class collection,’ said helen Featherstone at the national Lottery heritage Fund; ‘the new galleries are due to open later in the year, ensuring that the museum will be a star attraction of Bradford city of culture 2025.’ the reopening of the Museum also launched a new temporary exhibition, David Hockney: Pieced Together. the exhibition pairs the video installation The Four Seasons: Woldgate Woods with two of hockney’s early ‘joiner’ photocollages, which are part of the museum’s collection. One of the joiners on display shows the Museum in its early days as the national Museum of Photography, Film and television in 1985.
– richard west
David Hockney photographing the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, 18 July 1985.
David Hockney creating a joiner of the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford 19 or 20 July 1985.
