The National Portrait Gallery is accused of nepotism over an exhibition by donor Zoë Law, whose foundation contributed significantly to the gallery’s renovation. Despite these claims, the NPG asserts adherence to its ethical policies regarding donations and exhibition decisions.
London’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is facing allegations of nepotism surrounding an exhibition by donor Zoë Law. The exhibition, titled Legends, features portraits of notable figures from various fields, including a portrait of musician Noel Gallagher, which the gallery has added to its permanent collection.
Law is a former trustee of the Law Family Charitable Foundation, which, along with her ex-husband Andrew Law, contributed significantly to NPG’s £40 million renovation. This renovation, the most extensive in the gallery’s history, led to its reopening in 2023 after a three-year closure.
The gallery’s donations policy adheres to the UK Bribery Act 2010, maintaining that donations must not lead to undue advantage for the donor. In response to the accusations, the NPG confirmed that it followed the necessary procedures to ensure ethics compliance regarding the donation from the Law Family Charitable Foundation, consulting its ethics committee for approval.
An earlier version of this article was updated to clarify that the ethics committee was indeed involved in the decision to exhibit Law’s artworks.
The National Portrait Gallery’s recent allegations of nepotism stem from its exhibition featuring works by a significant donor, Zoë Law. The controversy highlights the relationship between charitable donations and exhibitions, especially amid extensive renovations funded by major contributors. The UK Bribery Act dictates that galleries must handle donations with transparency to avoid conflicts of interest.
The National Portrait Gallery is currently under scrutiny for accusations of nepotism linked to the exhibition of donor Zoë Law’s portraits. Despite allegations, the gallery has asserted their compliance with ethical guidelines and proper processes regarding donations and exhibitions. This incident raises important discussions about the influence of donor relationships in the arts.
Original Source: artreview.com