Baltic director heads for Ukraine

Dec 5 2007 By David Whetstone, The Journal

BALTIC boss Peter Doroshenko, whose resignation was reported last week, is leaving Gateshead for Kiev.

He has been appointed president and artistic director of the Pinchuk Art Centre, the first large contemporary art centre in Ukraine and one of Europe’s largest private contemporary art institutions.

Mr Doroshenko, an American of Ukrainian descent, has been Baltic director for two and half years.

Baltic chairman Sir Ian Wrigglesworth said: “Over the past two and a half years Peter has produced an exciting and, at times, controversial programme of exhibitions at Baltic.

“This has kept the gallery in the forefront of the international world of contemporary art and has maintained our annual visitor numbers at around the 400,000 mark.

“We are grateful to Peter for the contribution he has made and wish him well in his new role.

“It will be a challenge for us to maintain that level of activity and interest in future years. However, Baltic is a major player in the international world of contemporary art and one of the major attractions in Tyneside and the North-East, and we are determined it will remain so.”

Mr Doroshenko said: “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve as Baltic’s director over the past two and half years.

“I am looking forward to new challenges in Ukraine and wish Baltic well in the future.”