Biography

Keith Whittle – Curator, Researcher & Cultural Consultant

Keith Whittle is a curator, researcher, and advisor whose work operates internationally at the intersection of contemporary art, cultural strategy, and academic research. His diverse practice encompasses the commissioning, curation, and production of artist projects; exhibition development; writing; and cultural consultancy. He has collaborated with a range of leading public and private institutions, including Tate Modern, Delfina Foundation, British Council, Japan Foundation, Channel 4, Camden Arts Centre, and MoMA, among others.

His work centres on three interconnected strands: curating and producing contemporary art projects with international artists and cultural agencies; offering strategic advisory and consultancy services for arts organisations and institutions; and research dedicated to modern and contemporary Japanese art.

With over two decades of experience, Whittle has delivered complex, high-calibre exhibitions, moving image projects, and public-realm commissions across the UK, Europe, and Asia. He is widely recognised for his deep understanding of artistic practice, and ability to navigate the full life cycle of art production—from initial concept to dissemination, audience engagement, and legacy.

Curatorial Work & Commissioning 

Whittle has worked with major national and international institutions on projects noted for their ambition, innovation, and high production values. He served as Associate Curator and Advisor (Exhibition Programme and Gallery Strategy) at White Rainbow, a London-based gallery focusing on contemporary Japanese art, and earlier at The Institute of Contemporary Arts, London where he was responsible for New Media exhibitions. He has curated and produced numerous exhibitions in partnership with international organisations, and at Film and Video Umbrella (UK), where over twelve years, helped pioneer the rise of artists’ moving image from the mid-1990s onward.

While at Film and Video Umbrella, he worked on influential projects with artists such as Marina Abramović & Ulay, Vito Acconci, Bill Viola, and Gary Hill, while also supporting emerging talent including Douglas Gordon, Gillian Wearing, Sam Taylor-Wood, and Vanessa Beecroft—many of whom became central to the YBA movement. Commissioning and touring major works by Isaac Julien, Jane & Louise Wilson, Mark Leckey, and Johan Grimonprez, among others.

His recent curatorial projects include exhibitions of work by Adam Chodzko, Bontarō Dokuyama, Derek Jarman, Elizabeth Price, Erika Tan, John Akomfrah, Kyunchome, Laure Prouvost, Mari Katayama, Sun Xun, and British Indian conceptual artist, Sutapa Biswas. Notably, Mata Ne (See You Soon)—Biswas’s first commission and solo exhibition in Japan—featured video and mixed-media works developed during a residency in Japan.

Academic Research & Teaching

Whittle lectures widely on modern and contemporary Japanese art. He is a Lecturer at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, a Guest Lecturer in Fine Art at Tokyo University of the Arts, and a Visiting Professor at institutions across the UK and Japan. At Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, he has led international projects, including the Global Art Joint Project developed in partnership with Tokyo Geidai.

A Japan Foundation Fellow and Fellow at Central Saint Martins, he has also held roles at the University of Sunderland as Director of Time-Based Media, and at ZKM | Center for Art and Media (Germany) as an Adjunct Research Fellow exploring time-based curatorial strategies and archival practices.

Advisory, Consultancy & Strategy

Whittle provides advisory and consultancy services to artists, institutions, and cultural agencies such as Arts Council England, the British Council, and The Japan Foundation. His guidance is grounded in hands-on curatorial experience, strategic planning, and a proven ability to manage multi-partner, multi-site projects across the cultural, academic, and public sectors. His work is distinguished by a deep commitment to collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

International Networks & Cultural Exchange

Operating across Europe and Asia, Whittle has built extensive networks—particularly in Japan and South East Asia—where he has developed cross-cultural exchanges and co-produced exhibitions that bring together artists, curators, and cultural institutions. These initiatives support the development of new work, the expansion of audiences, and the fostering of meaningful international partnerships.

He is adept at supporting early- and mid-career artists, creating opportunities for experimentation and dialogue, often in new cultural contexts, and encouraging critical engagement through production, exhibition, and interpretation.

Fundraising, Development & Publishing

All projects are underpinned by Whittle’s expertise in fundraising, budget management, and development. He has successfully raised both cash and in-kind support for projects ranging from emerging artist residencies to major international exhibitions, often within challenging funding environments. His print and editorial work includes monographs, catalogues, and publications with multimedia content, and he is experienced in proofreading and editing essays, curatorial texts, and exhibition copy.

Audience Engagement, Evaluation & Legacy

Whittle has consistently succeeded in developing new audiences, including non-traditional visitors, through inclusive and accessible programming. His work has been critically acclaimed and widely reviewed in the international arts press. He is experienced in evaluation, from collecting visitor feedback to detailed reporting for funders, and understands the importance of reflection and measurement in sustaining long-term cultural impact.

Selected Gallery Exhibitions

Kyunchome, All Living Things are Breathing Now, ArtLink, Ireland (2025)
Bontarō Dokuyama & Yumiko Ono, Borrowed Scenery ‘Study’, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, Tokyo (2021)
Mari Katayama, Broken Heart, White Rainbow, London (2019)
Chim Pom, Why Open? White Rainbow, London (2018)
Meiro Koizumi, Battlelands, White Rainbow, London (2018)
Taro Izumi, My Eyes are not in the centre, White Rainbow, London (2018)
Aki Sasamoto, Clothes Line, White Rainbow, London (2018)
Chikako Yamashiro, Shapeshifter, White Rainbow, London (2018)
Yuko Mohri, Moré Moré [Leaky], White Rainbow, London (2018)
Shigeo Anzaï, Index I&II, White Rainbow, London (2017
Laure Prouvost, Questions Will Be Asked, Sallaumines | Maison de l’Art et de la Communication (2016)
Aoyama Satoru, Division of Labour, White Rainbow, London (2016)
Adam Chodzko, Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Beppu, Japan (2015)
Sutapa Biswas, Mata Ne, Beppu, Japan (2015)
Tony Hill, Downside up perspective, gravity, scale and movement – an exhibition of Filmworks, 51zero (2015)
David Blandy, Anjin 1600: Edo Wonderpark, Rose Lipman Building, London (2013)
Fan Chon Hoo, Into the World of Palpable Objects and Fruitful, No11 Spitalfields, London (2011)
Masaki Fujihata, The Conquest of Imperfection, Cornerhouse, Manchester (2008)
Lu Chunsheng, The first man who bought a juicer bought it not for drinking juice, Artpace San Antonio, Iniva – Institute of International Visual Arts, London and Stephen mkson Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2011-12)
Erika Tan & Mio Shirai, A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling, Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art, UK and BankART NYK (2008/09)

Selected Site-Specific Public-Realm Exhibitions, Japan

Adel Abdessemed, EXIT, Beppu, Japan (2009
Michael Lin, 04.11-06.14.09, Beppu, Japan (2009
Hossein Golba, Roshandel, light of heart homage to all the blind people), Roshandel, light of heart, Beppu, Japan (2009), and Homage to Kazuya Ito and Peshawar-kai), Saifukuji Temple, Beppu, Japan (2009)
Lani Maestro, Higugma (Breath), Beppu, Japan (2009)
SARKIS, Colors in the water, Beppu, Japan (2009)
Jin-me Yoon, As It Is Becoming, Beppu, Japan (2009)
Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries, Honeymoon in Beppu, Beppu, Japan (2009)

Selected Public-Realm Site-Specific Installations, UK 

Jiang Zhi, Onward! Onward! Onward! The Altar of Progress, Newcastle upon Tyne (2008)
Susan Collins & 8gg, Light Prop for a Digital Stage, Tyne & Wear (2007)
Lothar Götz, Capri, Tyne & Wear (2006)
Eric Bainbridge, James Hutchinson, Cargo, Tyne & Wear (2006)

Selected International Residencies

Adam Chodzko, UK – Artist in Residence, Japan (2015)
Sutapa Biswas, UK – Artist in Residence, Japan (2015)
Yuko Mohri, Japan – Artist in Residence UK – V&A South Kensignton UK (2016)
Rodrigo Gonzalez Castillo, México, ARCUS Residency Programme, Japan (2013)
Sybille Neumeyer, Germany, ARCUS Residency Programme, Japan (2013)
Nandesha Shanthi Prakash, India, ARCUS Residency Programme, Japan (2013)
Yuko Mohri, Japan – Artist in Residence – Newcastle, UK (2008)
Erika Tan, UK – Artist in Residence, Yokohama, Japan (2008)
Mio Shirai, Japan – Artist in Residence, Newcastle, UK (2008)
8gg, China – Artist in Residence, Newcastle, UK (2007)
Mark Amerika – Artist in Residence, ICA, London (2001)
John Maeda / MIT media lab – Artist in Residence, ICA, London (2001). What Do You Want To Do With It, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London (2001)

Selected Group National & International Touring

Lu Chunsheng, The first man who bought a juicer bought it not for drinking juice, Iniva, London and Stephenson Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2010)
Erika Tan & Mio Shirai, A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling, Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art & BankART 1929, Yokohama, Japan (2008/09) part of UK-Japan 2008 and Japan-UK 150
There Is No ‘I’ In Team, Group Exhibition of Chinese Moving Image and Interactive Art, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle upon Tyne and V&A, London, UK. Part of CHINA NOW and EAST’ 08 (2007/08)
Hung Keung + imhk lab, Bloated City | Skinny Language, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle upon Tyne (2007)
Undercurrent, Lighthouse Media Centre, Brighton (2006) MIC Toi Rerehiko, Auckland New Zealand (2007), MU Eindhoven, Netherlands (2007) and UK Arts Festival, Chongqing, China (2007)

Selected Solo National Touring Exhibitions

Roderick Buchanan, History Painting, Camden Arts Centre, London (2005)*
Johan Grimonprez, Looking for Alfred, Photographers Gallery, London (2005)*
Jananne Al-Ani, The Visit, Tate Britain, London (2005)
Sutupa Biswas, Birdsong, Angel Row Gallery, Nottingham (2004)
Dryden Goodwin, Dilate, The New Art Gallery Walsall (2004)
Mark Leckey, Parade, Fabrica, Brighton (2003)
Jane and Louise Wilson, A Free and Anonymous Monument, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle upon Tyne (2003)
Marine Hugonnier, Ariana, Chisenhale Gallery, London (2003)
Simon Faithfull, Pump House Gallery, London (2003)
I Can’t Make You Love Me, 30km, Breda Beban, John Hansard Gallery, Southampton (2003)
Carey Young, Business as Usual, Dundee Contemporary Arts (2002)
Graham Gussin, Remote Viewer, Wapping Project, London (2002)
Boyd Webb, Horse & Dog, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea (2002)
Abigail Lane, Tomorrow’s World, Yesterday’s Fever, Victoria Miro Gallery, London (2001)
A K Dolven, It Could Happen To You, South London Gallery (2001)
Isaac Julien (with Javier De Frutos) Cinerama, Tate Britain, shortlisted for Turner Prize, London (2000)
Mark Lewis, Peeping Tom, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford (2000)

Selected Online & New Media Projects

Susan Collins, Cris Cheek & Kirsten Lavers, Silicon Fen (2004 / 2005)
Michael Landy, Jake Tilson, Simon Biggs, Tristero* (2003/4)
Carey Young, I believe in you (2003)
Lucy Kimbell, Nick Crowe, Erika Tan & Jananne Al-Ani, Identinet (2003). Commissioned in partnership with Arts Council England and Channel 4
Janice Kerbel, Lucy Kimbell, Jake Tilson, Thomson & Craighead, Sonia Boyce, Slipstream (2001)
Mark Amerika, FILMTEXT 1.1 Commissioned in partnership with PlayStation 2 / ICA (2001)

Selected Single Channel Touring Programmes

Marina Abramovic and Ulay: Video and Performance (1995)
Cheryl Donegan: Video and Performance (1995)
Beban and Horvatic: Video and Performance (1995)
Bill Viola: Landscapes of the Mind (1995)
Daniel Reeves: Ongoing Obsessions (1995)
The Digital Underground (1995) Underworld, Tortoise and Aphex Twin, Stakker, tomato, Subterrain and Erik Saks
Vito Acconci: Video and Performance (1996)
Electric Dance (1996) Philippe Decouffle, Saburo Teshigawara and Bernar Hébert
Never a Dumb Moment (1996) Alan Currall, Monika Oechsler, Sean Dower and Jonathan Monk
No Pain, No Gain (1996) Chris Burden, Dennis Oppenheim and Marina Abramovic, Smith/Stewart and Gillian Dyson
William Wegman: Video and Performance (1996)
Computer World 3 (1997) Tamas Waliczky, Clea Waite, Christopher Landreth, Julien Dajez, and Richard Wright & Jason White
Heavy Rotation (1998) Chris Cunningham, Hexstatic, Film Unit AV and Grant Gee
Take Two (1998) Roderick Buchanan, Katharina Wibmer, Cheryl Donegan or John Wood & Paul Harrison
UKNY (1998) Douglas Gordon, Gillian Wearing, Georgina Starr and Sam Taylor-Wood and New York, Vanessa Beecroft, Alix Pearlstein and Alex Bag
Computer World 4 (1998) Philipp Hirsch, Tim Cheung and Laura Bangert, Tamas Waliczky, Kazuma Morino and Cécile Babiole.

Selected Talks

Keith Whittle, Keynote – Biennial Fever: A Toward a Minor History of Biennialism (2023)
Lewis Biggs, Founding Director of Liverpool Biennial (2023). Talk chaired by Keith Whittle
Shubigi Rao, Curator of Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2022-23, (2023). Talk chaired by Keith Whittle
Fram Kitagawa, General Director of Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, (2023). Talk chaired by Keith Whittle
Leah Gordon, Co-founder of the Ghetto Biennale, (2023). Talk chaired by Keith Whittle.
Biennial Fever: An Anthology of Perennial International Exhibitions of Contemporary Art, AIT, Tokyo, (2016) talk series by Keith Whittle
Film Without Film: Shimurabros in conversation with Keith Whittle, The Japan Foundation, London,  (2016)
One Place After Another: What can periodical International Contemporary Art Projects actually share? The Japan Foundation, London (2015). Talk by Keith Whittle and in conversation with Yuko Hasegawa, Lewis Biggs, Koki Tanaka and Mark Rappolt, Editor, Art Review.
Post 3.11: What Can Art Do? – Talk Ichiro Endo, Keith Whittle and Kaori Homma, The Japan Foundation, London, (2014)
Art, Community and Engagement: Recent Trends from Japanese Art Projects, The Japan Foundation, London, (2010). Talk by Takashi Serizawa and in conversation with Keith Whittle and Andrea Schlieker, Director of exhibitions and displays at Tate Britain (2010)
Daisuke Ohba: The Light Field, talks and in conversation with Keith Whittle, The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, London (2010)
Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions: Matter and Light talk by Liliane Lijn, V&A South Kensington (2011)
Mirrored Lenses: A brief history of Japanese Video and Media Art, Cornerhouse, Manchester (2008)

Selected Academic Lectures

On Actuality: Experimental ideas and methods in art, music and literature in Early Postwar Japan, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
Unfreedom of Expression: Art, Activism, Expression and Internalisation of Censorship in Japan, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
MAVO: Transnational Avant-gardism in Taisho-era Japan, 1912-1926, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
Inexorable Modernity: Modern Japanese art; aesthetics, painting, sculpture, performance and experimental theatre 1880-1935, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
Real Times: Art after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London.