The outstanding curator, art historian and Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Dr Nicholas Cullinan, will be in conversation with Hull UK City of Culture 2017 Chair Rosie Millard, discussing the journey from inspiration to creativity on Wednesday 19 July.
Born in Connecticut, U.S. in 1977, Nicholas Cullinan grew up in Yorkshire before studying History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, where he was awarded First Class Honours for his B.A., distinction for his M.A. and where he also gained his PhD.
While studying for his M.A., he was a part-time Visitor Services Assistant at the National Portrait Gallery. Fourteen years later he returned as its Director.
His international experience is wide ranging and has been known as one to watch. In 2006 to 2007, he held the Hilla Rebay International Fellowship at the Guggenheim museums in Bilbao, New York and Venice.
From 2007 to 2013 he was curator of international modern art at Tate Modern, after which he joined the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, U.S. as its curator of modern and contemporary art. In 2014 he co-curated Tate Modern’s most successful exhibition, that of Henri Matisse’s cut-outs with Sir Nicholas Serota which attracted more than 500,000 visitors.
Fran Hegyi, Executive Director at Hull 2017, said: “Nicholas’ career as an art historian and curator is exceptional. He has a flair, enthusiasm and wide ranging international experience which I have no doubt will delight audiences of this event.”
The BP Cultural Visions Lecture Series explores the journey from inspiration to creativity, providing a chance to take an intimate look at the creative journey of some of the UK’s leading cultural visionaries.
Featuring varied and prominent speakers, this is a fresh space to investigate and celebrate innovation and passion. A collaboration between BP and the University of Hull, it is designed to spark cultural conversation with monthly lectures throughout 2017.
The event will take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday 19 July in the Studio at the Ferens Art Gallery as part of the BP Cultural Visions Lecture Series. Book your free place and discover more at hull2017.co.uk/culturalvisions.
