Elvira Dyangani Ose to lead MACBA amid curatorial staff dismissals
Elvira Dyangani Ose, currently leading The Showroom in London, will assume the role of director at the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA). This transition follows the abrupt dismissal of chief curator Tanya Barson and head of programmes Pablo Martínez, who were informed via email on a recent Monday. The museum announced the structural changes approved by its council, which have been in development since October 2020, aimed at strengthening Dyangani's position. Barson expressed concerns about the timing of the changes, particularly in the absence of an artistic director. Dyangani has been with The Showroom since 2019.
Key facts
- Elvira Dyangani Ose appointed new director of MACBA.
- Chief curator Tanya Barson and head of programmes Pablo Martínez dismissed via email.
- Dismissals effective immediately; museum cites organizational model change.
- Reorganization planned since October 2020, per museum statement.
- Previous director Ferran Barenblit left after six-year tenure.
- Dyangani selected by jury of local and international curators.
- Controversial leadership change mirrors 2015 incident with Bartomeu Marí.
- Dyangani currently director of The Showroom in London.
Entities
Artists
- Elvira Dyangani Ose
- Tanya Barson
- Pablo Martínez
- Ferran Barenblit
- Bartomeu Marí
- Ines Doujak
- Juan Carlos
- Domitila Chúngara
- Valentín Roma
- Paul B. Preciado
- Em’kal Eyongakpa
- Kathrin Böhm
Institutions
- MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona)
- The Showroom
- Creative Time
- Tate Modern
- Cornell University
- Goldsmiths College
- Göteborg Biennial for Contemporary Art
- Lubumbashi Biennial
Locations
- Barcelona
- Spain
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Göteborg
- Sweden
- Lubumbashi
- Democratic Republic of the Congo