Portrait of Alistair Hudson, Director of Manchester Art Gallery and The Whitworth
I photographed Alistair Hudson, director of Manchester Art Gallery and The Whitworth, during the opening of Alison Wilding’s exhibition at the Whitworth in February 2018. The exhibition, including her work in the Wyoming series, brought together gallery staff, artists, and visitors to celebrate one of the most significant contemporary sculpture presentations at the gallery in recent years. The Wyoming works exemplify Wilding’s exploration of material, form, and spatial relationships, making this exhibition a key moment in the Whitworth’s programme.
Alistair Hudson is a British curator and museum director with a long career in the cultural sector, known for championing the role of art as a tool for social change and education. Before taking up the dual directorship of Manchester Art Gallery and The Whitworth, he was director of the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima), where he developed the concept of the “Useful Museum,” positioning the institution as a centre for community engagement and artistic relevance. Prior to that he spent a decade as deputy director of Grizedale Arts in the Lake District, recognised for radical approaches to working with artists and communities. Earlier in his career he worked at the Anthony d’Offay Gallery in London and at The Government Art Collection, devising public art strategies.
During his time in Manchester, Hudson also held an honorary professorship at the University of Manchester, promoting a vision of cultural institutions as active spaces for social engagement and learning. In 2023 he moved on to become the Artistic‑Scientific Director and Chairman of the Zentrum für Kunst und Medien (ZKM) in Karlsruhe, Germany, a leading institution at the intersection of art, technology, and media.
Photographing Hudson at the opening involved capturing both formal and candid moments, documenting his presence, interactions with guests, and the dynamic environment of the Whitworth during this key exhibition launch. The images provide a visual record of the event, supporting the gallery’s marketing and archival needs while illustrating the presence and role of the gallery director.