Thomas Dane Gallery to Open New Space in Naples in January 2018

London-based Thomas Dane Gallery will open a new space in Naples in January 2018, marking a rare international gallery expansion into southern Italy. The venue will be located on the first floor of Casa Ruffo, a 19th-century palazzo in the Chiaia district recently restored to preserve original features including a veranda overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Capri. The space will function as a residency, project space, and exhibition venue. The inaugural show, opening January 24 from 6-8 PM, will feature works by Bruce Conner, Steve McQueen, Catherine Opie, Caragh Thuring, and Kelley Walker across five rooms, exploring literal and allegorical inspirations from Naples. Federica Sheehan, a New York University art history graduate with experience in fashion (Alberta Ferretti, Donna Karan, Versace) and arts (Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Palazzo Bricherasio), will direct the space. Gallery founder Thomas Dane cited the city's unique vitality and the legacy of legendary gallerist Lucio Amelio as motivations, noting that artists immediately embraced the idea. Naples has seen growing art activity with institutions like Madre museum and Casa Morra, though most foreign galleries in Italy have chosen Milan or Rome, such as Emanuel Layr and Gavin Brown in Rome, while Lisson Gallery recently closed its Milan space.