Open Eye – the Northwest’s only dedicated photography gallery - has announced the appointment of Lorenzo Fusi as new Artistic Director.

Lorenzo curated the 2010 and 2012 reiterations of the Liverpool Biennial, respectively entitled Touched and The Unexpected Guest. In 2012 he also curated a suite of three retrospective exhibitions for the Galleria Civica di Modena (Italy), bringing together the work of Peter Hujar, Mark Morrisroe and Jack Smith under the collective title Changing Difference: Queer Politics and Shifting Identities.

Prior to his appointment at the Liverpool Biennial, Lorenzo was Chief Curator at sms contemporaea and Palazzo delle Papesse Contemporary Art Centre in Siena (Italy). During this time, he curated numerous solo presentations (Gordon Matta-Clark, Barbara Kruger and Cyprien Gaillard, just to name a few) and group shows such as System Error and .ZA, Young Art From South Africa.

His latest publishing endeavour is a monographic book devoted to the oeuvre of Alfredo Jaar (Exòrma Edizioni, 2012 Rome), focusing on the relations between art and history. Along with his professional commitments, Lorenzo also lectures regularly at Hope University, Tate Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool.

Lorenzo joins Open Eye at a pivotal time, with the organization having recently celebrated record visitor figures since moving to their new premises 14 months ago.

Lorenzo will lead a team of six members of staff. One of his first tasks will be to appoint a Deputy Director and Programme Co-ordinator. Lorenzo said “Open Eye’s resilience and rich history represent an important legacy and an incredible source of inspiration for me. Over the last 40 years, the organisation has consolidated its unique role in the local and national cultural arena. I am thrilled to now take the lead towards a new phase of this history, building on the gallery’s already established reputation and tradition”.

Lorenzo replaces outgoing director Patrick Henry who has left to pursue a series of projects including Look 13, Liverpool’s international photography festival.