Alberto Peola retires from gallery, becomes fair consultant

Alberto Peola, who opened his historic gallery in Turin in 1989, has retired from gallery management as of September 2023, leaving the space to his partner Francesca Simondi (now Simóndi). However, he remains active in the art world as a consultant for fairs, collaborating with Roberto Casiraghi, president of the association that runs The Others and The Phair. Peola began his career in the late 1960s, taking over La Tavolozza in 1969, then working at Galleria Davico for a decade until 1987. In 1989 he opened his own space in Via della Rocca, shifting focus to younger artists like Botto e Bruno, Enrica Borghi, and Luisa Lambri, and later international names such as Martin Creed (1999) and Emily Jacir. He was a founding member and vice president of the TAG gallery circuit (founded 2000), serving as president for one year. Peola reflects on Turin's cultural revival from the 1975-1985 period under mayor Diego Novelli, through the opening of Castello di Rivoli (1984) and GAM under Pier Giovanni Castagnoli (1987), to the growth of Artissima and the 2006 Winter Olympics. He notes the current 'stagnant' period, broken only by November fairs, and hopes the new EXPOSED photography festival in May will create a second annual highlight. The Phair will move to the OGR venue due to renovations at Torino Esposizioni, and will collaborate with the festival.