Katy Barron

Photography Curator–Consultant

(+44) 7968729196

About Me

I am a curator and art advisor specialising in advising private clients on collecting photography, either for their personal pleasure or as an investment.

I have over 20 years of experience of the museum, commercial art, and photography world - curating museum exhibitions in the UK and abroad; working in one of London’s leading photography galleries; and mentoring and advising photographers.

I offer a bespoke service to private clients who want to collect and learn more about photography. I pride myself on my commitment to my clients, my knowledge of the market, my absolute discretion and my extensive relationships in the art world.

If you’d like to know more about me, or explore how I might help you collect photography, whatever your experience or interest, then do please get in touch; I would love to hear from you.

Biography

I completed a BA in the History of Art at the Courtauld Institute and went on to Magdalen College, Oxford University where I took an M.Litt in the History of Art (specialising in the history of collecting).

After three years as curatorial assistant at The National Museum of Wales, I joined The Royal Collection curatorial team. Based in St James’s Palace, we were responsible for the 7000 paintings across the royal residences in the public galleries and private apartments. 

After a decade at the Royal Collection, I decided to pursue a long-standing passion for photography, going to work for Purdy Hicks, one of London’s leading contemporary galleries. At Purdy Hicks, I was responsible for developing the gallery’s representation of leading contemporary photographers and its reputation, as one of the best places to see and purchase both British and international photography in the UK, grew. 

Whilst at Purdy Hicks I also curated photography exhibitions for museums and festivals, attended portfolio reviews and wrote about photography.

Since 2008 I have worked as an independent photography advisor and curator focussing on private clients and museum exhibitions. I am well-known within the fine art photography world, both for my focussed impartial advice and also as a mentor for artists working with photography.

I continue to be the Contemporary Curator for the Ben Uri Museum, staging exhibitions that focus on themes around race, culture and identity. I am also a trustee of Positive View, a charity that stages world-class photographic exhibitions and raises funds for charitable projects engaging the young and disadvantaged.