New director takes over at Chichester’s Oxmarket Gallery

Oxmarket chairman Sophie Hull said: “He is an experienced arts professional with an outstanding track record of working in the galleries and museums sector and joins on September 6.

“Andrew brings exactly the skills and experience the Oxmarket needs as it transforms itself into one of the leading must-visit cultural destinations when in Chichester. Andrew has specialist knowledge of Modern British and contemporary art and is an accomplished painter. He studied at Bath Academy of Art.

“Andrew joins from Pallant House Gallery where he was deputy director between 2014 and December 2020. Since leaving he has been a full-time artist.

“Prior to that he was commercial manager and marketing and retail manager at Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey.

“He began his career in Chichester as the marketing officer at Pallant House Gallery in 2000, rising to marketing and commercial manager.

“He is a professional skilled in cultural heritage, commercial activity, publications, retail, marketing and communications, as well as event management. He has been part of the teams that won the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize in 2006 (now the Art Fund Prize) and shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize in 2014.”

Sophie added: “The Oxmarket is incredibly fortunate to have attracted Andrew as gallery director to lead us through the next major strategic phase of our journey having totally refurbished the building. He will professionalise our offering as we become recognised as a leading art space in the south of England and beyond. As an artist he understands the needs of artists and how best to curate and promote their work.

“He will work closely with artists from all disciplines. Andrew will also make the experience of visiting the Oxmarket even better.”

Andrew said: “I have long been a visitor to the Oxmarket, and I am excited to be joining as its director at this point in its history.

“Following the beautiful refurbishment, this important building is ready to shine in its role as a space for contemporary artists, designers and craftspeople. It has never been more important to provide opportunities for artists of all kinds and to ensure those opportunities are equally and fairly spread.

“The Oxmarket will be a home for visual creativity and a hub for visual creatives of all kinds. I can’t wait to get started.”

Holly Fox-Lee has also joined the team at the Oxmarket – as gallery administrator.