Audain Art Museum Appoints Curator

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Kiriko Watanabe (photo courtesy of Jessica Gnyp, 2018)

Kiriko Watanabe has been appointed as the Gail & Stephen A. Jarislowsky Curator at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, B.C.

Watanabe is interested in the visual culture of British Columbia, with a special appreciation of mid-century modernist traditions. Born and raised in Japan, she has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and a Master's  degree in critical curatorial studies, both from the University of British Columbia.

In 2003, she started working as an assistant curator at the West Vancouver Museum, playing a key role in the museum’s revitalization and evolution. Her dedication to raising awareness of West Coast Modern architecture and design earned her a Metro Vancouver 2010 RAIC Advocate of Architecture Award of Excellence from the Royal Institute of Canada.

Watanabe is a co-author of Selwyn Pullan: Photographing Midcentury West Coast Modernism, published by Douglas & McIntyre in 2012, and has curated exhibitions related to British Columbia art, architecture and design, as well as traditional and contemporary Japanese art.

Watanabe says she has been fascinated by Indigenous arts and culture since she came to Canada as an international student.

 “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help foster an awareness and understanding of the arts, culture and history of this beautiful province,” she says.

Curtis Collins, the Audain's director and chief curator, welcomed Watanabe.

“Kiriko brings an energy and passion for cultural production in Canada that will support the museum in achieving its vision of being a centre of excellence for the art of British Columbia,” he says.

Watanabe will join the museum July 17.

Source: Audain Art Museum