© Christa Holka
FATOŞ ÜSTEK has left her position as Director of the Liverpool Biennial after just 17 months in the post following a ‘breakdown in the relationship between her and the Board of the Liverpool Biennial’, according to a statement given to ArtsProfessional by a representative of the contemporary visual art festival.
Üstek told The Art Newspaper that “governance issues with a lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities, and processes not being followed, taken together made my role untenable”.
The Liverpool Biennial says her resignation was preceded by a letter sent to the board “from the majority of the Biennial staff, raising specific issues about her management style and professional conduct.”
According to The Art Newspaper, two board members also left the festival following Üstek’s departure, citing the ‘treatment of Fatoş’ and ‘ethics’ as their reasons for leaving.
The festival has appointed SAMANTHA LACKEY as Interim Director while the board seeks to appoint a new Director in the new year.