Australian born Asian art expert Dr Michael Brand has been appointed the new director of Australia's Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW).  Dr Brand will replace fellow Asian art aficionado Edmund Capon who was director of the gallery for 33 years. 

Currently completing his duties as consulting director of the Aga Khan Museum which is currently under construction in Toronto, Brand will take up his new position mid-year.  Dr Brand said he was very excited about his new role.

“The Board of Trustees presented me with a highly compelling vision of the Gallery’s future,” he said.

“While they are rightly focused on serving their primary audience and promoting Australian art, they are also resolutely international in their approach to art and culture.

“I have been highly impressed by the seriousness with which the Board of Trustees and the Government have been developing a strategy to guide the Gallery’s future and the Gallery is clearly about to enter an exciting phase of its history. Based in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, the Gallery has a great opportunity to further build on its international partnerships that will bring extraordinary works of art to Australia.”

The appointment has also been welcomed by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell.

“Michael will bring his formidable curatorial and management skills to bear on the Art Gallery of NSW’s already impressive reputation for artistic excellence and acquisition,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“The appointment will provide the Gallery with opportunities to build upon NSW’s strong artistic tradition, innovative approach to art and culture and my Government’s goal of making NSW Australia’s premier destination for art, culture and innovation.”

Dr Brand received his MA in Art History from Harvard University in 1982 and his PhD in Art History from the same university in 1987.  As former director of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California (2005-2010) and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, Brand brings a wealth of experience to the AGNSW.