about Cen
The Curatorial Ethics Network is a global initiative focused on integrity, accountability, and inclusivity within the art ecosystem. Our mission is to operate as a community focused on contemporary art curation, contemporary art and the visual arts sector, navigating the ethical complexities of contemporary art and curatorial practices by engaging in dialogue, research, and collaborative frameworks.
Dr Gabrielle Barkess-Kerr
Founder and Director of CEN
Gabrielle is the founder and director of the Curatorial Ethics Network (CEN), an international initiative launched in December 2024, that provides critical leadership on ethics in contemporary curatorial practice and the wider contemporary arts ecosystem. Through CEN, Gabrielle develops strategic frameworks, research agendas, and interdisciplinary dialogue addressing ethical questions across art institutions, professional cultures, and curatorial labour.
Gabrielle is based in the UK and operates as an anthropologist, curator, and Teaching Fellow in Contemporary Art Theory at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA). Gabrielle holds a doctorate in Social Anthropology from Durham University, and MA in Socio-Cultural Anthropology and a BA in History of Art, and are an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Gabrielle’s research and practice operates at the intersection of contemporary art, curation, and anthropology, with a particular focus on ethnography, the anthropology of professionals and expertise, and ethical approaches to cultural practice. Gabrielle has also worked in creative agencies and in public engagement roles, and has appeared on expert panels within the contemporary art sector.
Francesca Barkess-Kerr
Executive Advisor
With a background in crisis management, risk, and resilience, developed through experience in both the finance industry and the UK public sector, her work is informed by a strong understanding of geopolitical, social, and economic dynamics. Currently based in Hong Kong, her expertise has enabled her to bring a nuanced and strategic perspective to complex risk environments, having worked across European and APAC markets, providing a broader insight into the challenges facing the arts today. Francesca continues to provide strategic advice, supporting the growth of CEN and its offering.
Alongside her professional career, Francesca has maintained a long-standing engagement with the arts. She studied Photography at arts school, before moving into a career in crisis management. Francesca also holds a BA in Geography and MA in Risk from Durham University. She approaches arts and curation through a socio-economic and geopolitical lens, offering thoughtful and distinctive insights. This interdisciplinary perspective allows Francesca to bridge strategic advisory work with cultural and creative discourse, contributing a unique voice to the network.