Press Release: Portland Museum of Art announces the hire of Sayantan Mukhopadhyay as Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
Mukhopadhyay will step into this role in June 2023.
The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) is proud to welcome Sayantan Mukhopadhyay as the museum’s new Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. With an extensive background in contemporary art research and education, Mukhopadhyay brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the museum and will be an influential addition to the PMA team.
Before joining the PMA, Mukhopadhyay was a lecturer in Art History at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also earned both his MA and PhD in Art History. His research and teachings focus on modern and contemporary South Asian art, queer studies, the history of photography, and the intersection of these subjects. His PhD dissertation in 2022 was entitled Making Worlds, Making Way: Queer Belongings in Contemporary Art from India (1980-2000).
“The PMA is thrilled to welcome Sayantan to Portland and introduce him to our strong artistic community here in Maine,” says Shalini Le Gall, the PMA’s Chief Curator and Susan Donnell and Harry W. Konkel Curator of European Art. “His commitment to community partnerships and education, curiosity about studio practices and modernist traditions, and vision for global contemporary art lays the foundation for exciting projects ahead.”
While pursuing his PhD, Mukhopadhyay was a recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship and the Harry & Yvonne Lenart Fellowship at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where he worked in the Contemporary and Modern Art departments respectively. Before his time in Los Angeles, Sayantan gained valuable experience in galleries, publications, and education in New York, New Delhi and Shanghai. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature and Art History from Williams College, where he graduated cum laude with honors.
“I am looking forward to learning from the vibrant arts community in Portland and across Maine,” stated Mukhopadhyay. “In my new role, I hope to bring a vision informed by my multiple international experiences across North America and Asia, but one that is also attuned to the needs of the local public.”
Mukhopadhyay joins the Portland Museum of Art at an exciting time of growth and evolution, and his career exemplifies a commitment and prowess for the museum’s values of courage, equity, trust, service, and sustainability. His scholarly work in postcolonial contemporary artwork and queer theory has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, and his commitment to social justice throughout his career is unwavering. Mukhopadhyay brings a fresh perspective as the museum takes strides toward inclusivity, seeking to challenge existing narratives and elevate marginalized voices. With his impressive qualifications and dedication to the PMA's mission, Mukhopadhyay is certain to make a significant impact on the museum and the Maine arts community.