Sir Ian Wrigglesworth steps down as Baltic chief

Jul 2 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

“I don’t think we’ve done that as successfully as we might.

“It is a national gallery and people often don’t appreciate that.

“I had a request a few weeks ago from someone saying there was a good painter in Northumberland and wouldn’t it be nice if his work could be shown at Baltic.

“But they wouldn’t dream of going to the Tate and saying the same thing. This is a national gallery and Sune Nordgren (Baltic’s Swedish founding director) was right: it just happens to be in Gateshead.

“We have put on wonderful exhibitions from artists in the region, such as Julian Germain, James Hugonin and Matt Stokes, but they are also international artists.”

Sir Ian said that after staff restructuring, the Baltic Crew were now part of the education team with a mission to explain work to visitors. Sir Ian said he believed he had helped to create “a good springboard for the future” of Baltic. He planned to continue as chairman of Port of Tyne and focus more on his own company, Bluehall Properties.

Baltic’s deputy chairman, Peter Buchan, director of architectural firm Ryder, becomes interim chairman.

Roger Kelly, chief executive of Gateshead Council, said Sir Ian had been an excellent chairman, moving Baltic forward and maintaining its position in the world of contemporary art.

Mark Robinson, executive director of Arts Council England, North East, said: “The ongoing success of Baltic is a testament to Sir Ian’s great work in his time as chair.”

Mr Worsdale said Sir Ian had been a constant source of encouragement and guidance.