Shoair Mavlian is Director of The Photographers Gallery which she joined in 2023. She leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation, encompassing the charity and enterprises. In 2018 she was named one of Apollo magazine’s 40 under 40 Europe – Thinkers.
She was previously Director of Photoworks where she oversaw the exhibitions, biennial festival, commissions, learning and engagement, publishing and digital content. From 2011-2018 Mavlian was Assistant Curator, Photography and International Art at Tate Modern, London, where she curated exhibitions including ‘Don McCullin’ (2019) ‘Shape of Light: 100 Years of Photography and Abstract Art’ (2018), ‘The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection’ (2016), ‘Conflict, Time, Photography’ (2014). While at Tate Modern she helped build the photography collection and curated collection displays enjoyed by over 5 million visitors per year.
Mavlian has a background in fine art photography practice and the history of photography focus on the twentieth century, emerging contemporary practice, and work related to conflict and memory. Mavlian is Armenian diaspora and lives in London.
