Pace Gallery Hires König Partner to Lead New Berlin Office
Laura Attanasio will leave her post as partner of Berlin’s influential König Galerie to join Pace Gallery, a sprawling operation that has spaces in seven locations across three continents. At Pace, Attanasio will lead a new Berlin office with the aim of furthering Pace’s reach in Germany and Austria.
Attanasio became a partner at König in 2022, just a few months before allegations of sexual misconduct against its founder, Johann König, were reported by Die Zeit . (He denied the accusations and subsequently contested the report.) Attanasio first joined the gallery in 2014 and has worked with artists such as Alicja Kwade, Claudia Comte, and Katharina Grosse.
In a statement to ARTnews , Attanasio referred to Berlin’s “remarkable transformation” as something that prompted her departure to Pace, where she will hold the title of senior director.
“In this ever-changing landscape, I recognize a wealth of opportunities that align perfectly with Pace’s mission and vision,” Attanasio said. “The evolving nature of Berlin’s art scene presents an exciting canvas upon which I can continue to foster artistic excellence and contribute to the global art discourse. I am thrilled to explore new horizons, forge meaningful connections, and showcase exceptional talents that resonate with the spirit of this dynamic city.”
None of Pace’s three biggest competitors—the mega-galleries David Zwirner, Gagosian, and Hauser & Wirth—operate a space in Berlin or anywhere else in Germany.
Attanasio’s appointment is the latest in a series of expansionary moves made by Pace. According to a recent ARTnews survey, Pace took on more than a dozen artists in the past year. Meanwhile, at the end of 2022, Pace also restructured its staff, with Samanthe Rubell now serving as its president , a title that CEO Marc Glimcher no longer holds.