Andrew Renton works as a writer and curator. He is interested in the different languages and registers that might be possible in response to the work of art. As a curator his recent concern has been with the ethical encounter with the object, its physicality and context. He has extensive experience and research in contemporary collecting practices.
Academic qualifications
1981 – 1984 B.A. (Hons.), University of Nottingham
1985 – 1989 Ph.D., University of Reading
Teaching
He took over running the Curating programme in 2003, and redesignated the programme into its current MFA format, as well as establishing a practice-based PhD in the field.
Prior to Goldsmiths he was Slade Curator at Slade School of Art, and has lectured widely internationally.
Professional projects
He has curated many shows internationally, including the first Manifesta in Rotterdam1996, Walter Benjamin's Briefcase, Porto 1994, Browser in Vancouver 1997 and London 1998, Total Object Complete with Missing Parts, Glasgow 2001, Stay Forever and Ever and Ever at South London Gallery, 2007, Come, Come, Come into my World at the Ellipse Foundation, Lisbon, 2007, Front of House at Parasol Unit, London 2008, and the first ArtTLV biennial in Tel Aviv, 2008. He co-curated Koen van den Broek's retropective at SMAK, Ghent in 2010.
Until ecently he was the founding Director of Marlborough Contemporary Gallery in London where he curated some 30 exhibitions. He wrote a weekly column for the Evening Standard on art matters, and is the author and editor of numerous articles, books and monographs on art. He was a member of the jury for the 2006 Turner Prize, and is a board member and trustee of several arts organisations such as the Showroom and the Drawing Room. He advises many collections, museums and institutions, and the British Government Art Collection.
Publications and research outputs
Book
Front of House Renton, Andrew , ed. 2008. Front of House. London: Parasol unit: foundation for contemporary art. ISBN 978-0-9560247-0-1
Jason Martin Renton, Andrew ; and Rosenthal, Norman. 2004. Jason Martin. Charta. ISBN 8881584832
Chutzpadik: A Conversation on Jewish Art, Identity, and Curatorial Agency Kushnir, Alana; Renton, Andrew ; and Schwarz, Katrina. 2025. Chutzpadik: A Conversation on Jewish Art, Identity, and Curatorial Agency. In: Alana Kushnir, ed. Chutzpah: Spirit. Recollection. Self. Melbourne, Australia: Jewish Museum of Australia, pp. 42-47. ISBN 9781875670055
Naming Places (for J. B.) Renton, Andrew . 2025. Naming Places (for J. B.). In: Debbie Meniru and Darryl de Prez, eds. Jyll Bradley: Running and Returning. London: Kulturalis, pp. 112-123. ISBN 9781836360094
The Prospect of Objecthood Renton, Andrew ; and Onofre, João. 2024. The Prospect of Objecthood. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. João Onofre, Untitled (In Awe of...). Berlin: DCV, pp. 22-25. ISBN 9783969121924
hobbypopMUSEUM on Main Street Renton, Andrew . 2019. hobbypopMUSEUM on Main Street. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. hoppypopMUSEUM: Saved Images. Berlin: DISTANZ Verlag/Dortmunder Kunstverein, pp. 11-20. ISBN 9783954762729
“Forms of Practice: Curating in the Academy” Renton, Andrew . 2017. “Forms of Practice: Curating in the Academy”. In: Jens Hoffmann, ed. The Exhibitionist: the First Six Years. New York: Artbook, pp. 275-281. ISBN 978-1-942884-12-5
“Architecture’s Ideology: Antony Gormley’s Ethics of Spacing” Renton, Andrew . 2015. “Architecture’s Ideology: Antony Gormley’s Ethics of Spacing”. In: Peter Fischer; Simone King and Rosalind Horne, eds. Antony Gormley: Expansion Field. Berlin: Hatje Cantz, pp. 189-205. ISBN 978-3-7757-3931-3
"The Contested Space of Curating" Renton, Andrew . 2014. "The Contested Space of Curating". In: Viktor Misiano and Nataša Petrešin-Bachelez, eds. The Manifesta Journal Reader. St Petersberg: Arca, pp. 76-84. ISBN 978-5-91208-176-7
“Technique Anglaise: Current Trends in British Art” Renton, Andrew ; Gillick, Liam; Paley, Maureen; Furlong, William; Cooke, Lynne; and Schubert, Karsten. 2014. “Technique Anglaise: Current Trends in British Art”. In: John Slyce and Phoebe Adler, eds. Contemporary Art in the United Kingdom. London: Black Dog Publishing, pp. 162-173. ISBN 978 1 907317 68 2
“Random Different: Andrew Renton and Charlotte von Poehl in Conversation” Renton, Andrew ; and von Poehl, Charlotte. 2014. “Random Different: Andrew Renton and Charlotte von Poehl in Conversation”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Charlotte von Poehl: Harlequins. Ystad: Ystads Konstmuseum, pp. 47-61. ISBN 91-87258-75-7
Bergotte's Vermeer and other Histories Renton, Andrew . 2010. Bergotte's Vermeer and other Histories. In: Wouter Davidts, ed. Crack: Koen van den Broek. Amsterdam: Valiz, Amsterdam; S.M.A.K., Ghent; Lannoo, Tielt, pp. 62-71. ISBN 978 90 78088 41 7
Ten Fragments (for I.K.) Renton, Andrew . 2009. Ten Fragments (for I.K.). In: Elena Volpato, ed. Ian Kiaer: What Where. Turin: Archive Books, pp. 43-47.
Running Past a Richard Serra: Kathy Temin and Andrew Renton in Conversation Renton, Andrew ; and Temin, Kathy. 2009. Running Past a Richard Serra: Kathy Temin and Andrew Renton in Conversation. In: Sue Cramer, ed. Kathy Temin. Melbourne, Australia: Heide Museum of Modern Art, pp. 73-79. ISBN 9781921330124
Painting Less Subject: Detached Indices and Red Herrings (for K.C.) Renton, Andrew . 2008. Painting Less Subject: Detached Indices and Red Herrings (for K.C.). In: Ben Tufnell, ed. Keith Coventry: Vanishing Certainties. Painting and Sculpture 1992 - 2009. London: Haunch of Venison, pp. 32-33. ISBN 972-1-905620-37-1
Broken Surface: Belated Forms Renton, Andrew ; and White, Laura . 2008. Broken Surface: Belated Forms. In: Laura White, ed. Laura White: the Stuff of Images. Manchester: Castlefield Gallery, unpaginated. ISBN 978-0-9559557-1-6
In Lieu of the Face Renton, Andrew . 2007. In Lieu of the Face. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Portrait, Landscape, Process, Monochrome. London: Alexia Goethe Gallery, pp. 6-13. ISBN 978-1906463007
Only you can make this world seem right Renton, Andrew . 2007. Only you can make this world seem right. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Jesper Just - Film Works: Film Works 2001-2007. Rotterdam: Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art, pp. 82-99. ISBN 978-9073362734
Threshold and its Shadow (for YS) Renton, Andrew . 2007. Threshold and its Shadow (for YS). In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Yehudit Sasportas. Der israelische Pavillon auf der Biennale Venedig. Israeli Pavilion 52nd Biennale Vezezia and Dumont, pp. 39-61. ISBN 978-3832177737
Another Memory of the Old Home Renton, Andrew . 2007. Another Memory of the Old Home. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Ângela Ferreira: Maison Tropicale. Lisbon: Institutos das Artes & Ministério da Cultura, pp. 60-77. ISBN 978-972-99322-8-1
“Public and Private Collecting” Renton, Andrew . 2006. “Public and Private Collecting”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Frieze Projects: Artists' Commissions and Talks: Artists Commissions and Talks 2003-2005. London: Frieze, pp. 137-145. ISBN 978-0955320101
’Unknown Content’:Diminished Return Renton, Andrew . 2006. ’Unknown Content’:Diminished Return. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. (Re)volver, Lisbon: Plataforma Revolver. , pp. 32-42
You are still here… Renton, Andrew . 2006. You are still here…. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Mona Hatoum: Hot Spot. White Cube.
I saw and know what I saw…: Linder as Witness Renton, Andrew . 2006. I saw and know what I saw…: Linder as Witness. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Linder: Works 1976-2006. Zurich: JRP Ringier, pp. 128-137. ISBN 3-905701-60-x
Prescription Material: You are what you eat Renton, Andrew . 2005. Prescription Material: You are what you eat. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Marc Quinn: Chemical Life Support. London: White Cube, pp. 2-5. ISBN 978-0954650186
Mushrooms in the Rain: Gerard Hemsworth and the Deceptive Perspective Renton, Andrew . 2005. Mushrooms in the Rain: Gerard Hemsworth and the Deceptive Perspective. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Gerard Hemsworth, Mushrooms In The Rain (exhibition catalogue). São Paulo: Galeria Brito Cimino, pp. 4-6.
Walking through Wall: Catherine Yass’s Politics of Unseeing Renton, Andrew . 2005. Walking through Wall: Catherine Yass’s Politics of Unseeing. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Catherine Yass: Filmography. Fundacio Antoni Tapies, pp. 72-89. ISBN 978-8489152731
West Renton, Andrew . 2005. West. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. The Journey: Dietmar Lutz. London: emilyTsingou Gallery, pp. 23-39. ISBN 978-0953245826
Complications of Absence: Ignasi Aballí and the Constrained Object Renton, Andrew . 2005. Complications of Absence: Ignasi Aballí and the Constrained Object. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. 0-24 h. Barcelona: Museo De Arte Contemporáneo De Barcelona = Museu D'art Contemporani De Barcelona, pp. 117-130. ISBN 978-8489771147
Holding Centre Renton, Andrew . 2003. Holding Centre. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. I Only Want You to Love ME. Brighton: Photoworks, pp. 100-103. ISBN 978-1903796092
“Ben Kodesh l’Kodesh” (“...Between what is holy and what is holy”) Renton, Andrew . 2003. “Ben Kodesh l’Kodesh” (“...Between what is holy and what is holy”). In: Andrew Renton, ed. Borders of Sanctity in Art, Society and Jewish Thought. Jerusalem: Keter Publishing with Adi Foundation, pp. 146-149. ISBN 965-07-1172-4
“Modern Medicine” Renton, Andrew . 2002. “Modern Medicine”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. 100 Reviews: Backwards. Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther Konig, p. 87. ISBN 978-3883756493
“Bethan Huws” Renton, Andrew . 2002. “Bethan Huws”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. 100 Reviews Backwards. Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther Konig, p. 65. ISBN 978-3883756493
“Douglas Gordon, 24 Hour Psycho” Renton, Andrew . 2002. “Douglas Gordon, 24 Hour Psycho”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. 100 Reviews Backwards. Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther Konig, p. 56. ISBN 978-3883756493
“Ian Davenport, Gary Hume, Michael Landy” and “East Country Yard Show” Renton, Andrew . 2002. “Ian Davenport, Gary Hume, Michael Landy” and “East Country Yard Show”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. 100 Reviews: Backwards. Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther Konig, pp. 40-48. ISBN 978-3883756493
“Browser: a Second Visit to the Archive” Renton, Andrew . 2002. “Browser: a Second Visit to the Archive”. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Potential: Ongoing Archive. Amsterdam and Southampton: Artimo Foundation Breda, pp. 60-65. ISBN 978-9075380484
Five Pieces for A.M. Renton, Andrew . 2002. Five Pieces for A.M. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Nothing is Sudden – Arbeiten mit Licht. Köln: StadtRevue Verlag, pp. 10-21.
Andrew Renton and Sacha Craddock in Conversation Renton, Andrew . 2002. Andrew Renton and Sacha Craddock in Conversation. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. The Producers: Contemporary Curators in Conversation. Gateshead and Newcastle: Baltic and University of Newcastle, pp. 9-46. ISBN 978-1903655139
Correspondence Renton, Andrew . 2002. Correspondence. In: UNSPECIFIED, ed. Ghada Amer. London: Gagosian Gallery, pp. 7-19. ISBN 978-1880154755
Curating Architecture Phillips, Andrea ; Renton, Andrew ; Le Feuvre, Lisa ; and Schmitz, Edgar. Jan 2007 - Jan 2009 Curating Architecture.
Show/Exhibition
Werner Büttner: Reflections in a Pilfering Eye Renton, Andrew ; and Büttner, Werner. 2025. Werner Büttner: Reflections in a Pilfering Eye. In: "Werner Büttner: Reflections in a Pilfering Eye", Rialto6, Portugal, 23 May - 18 July 2025.
New Viewings: Ian Whittlesea Renton, Andrew ; and Whittlesea, Ian. 2021. New Viewings: Ian Whittlesea. In: "New Viewings: Ian Whittlesea", Galerie Barbara Thumm, Germany, January 2021 - present.
New Viewings: Caitlin Yardley Renton, Andrew ; and Yardley, Caitlin. 2021. New Viewings: Caitlin Yardley. In: "New Viewings: Caitlin Yardley", Galerie Barbara Thumm, Germany, January 2021 - present.
New Viewings: Susie Green Renton, Andrew ; and Green, Susie. 2021. New Viewings: Susie Green. In: "New Viewings: Susie Green", Galerie Barbara Thumm, Germany, January 2021 - present.
New Viewings: Marcus Cope Renton, Andrew ; and Cope, Marcus. 2021. New Viewings: Marcus Cope. In: "New Viewings: Marcus Cope", Galerie Barbara Thumm, Germany, January 2021 - present.
Charlie Roberts: Juicy Renton, Andrew ; and Roberts, Charlie. 2016. Charlie Roberts: Juicy. In: "Juicy", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 24 Nov 2016 - 8 January 2017.
Sigalit Landau: 'Salt Bride' Renton, Andrew ; and Landau, Sigalit. 2016. Sigalit Landau: 'Salt Bride'. In: "Salt Bride", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 26 July - 17 September 2016.
Grear Patterson: True Romance Renton, Andrew ; and Patterson, Grear. 2016. Grear Patterson: True Romance. In: "True Romance", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 24 June - 23 July 2016.
Laurence Kavanagh: 'March' Renton, Andrew ; and Kavanagh, Laurence. 2016. Laurence Kavanagh: 'March'. In: "'March'", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 11 May - 18 June 2016.
Narelle Jubelin: 'Flamenco Primitivo' Renton, Andrew ; and Jubelin, Narelle. 2016. Narelle Jubelin: 'Flamenco Primitivo'. In: "Flamenco Primitivo", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 5 February – 12 March 2016.
Pamela Golden: 'Charlie Don’t Surf' Renton, Andrew ; and Golden, Pamela. 2015. Pamela Golden: 'Charlie Don’t Surf'. In: "Charlie Don’t Surf", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 11 November - 30 December.
Agnieszka Brzeżańska: 'This all occurs quickly, with ease, grace and joy' Renton, Andrew ; and Brzezanska, Agnieszka. 2015. Agnieszka Brzeżańska: 'This all occurs quickly, with ease, grace and joy'. In: "This all occurs quickly, with ease, grace and joy", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 18 September – 31 October 2015.
Ângela Ferreira: 'Talk Tower for Ingrid Jonker' Renton, Andrew ; and Ferreira, Ángela. 2015. Ângela Ferreira: 'Talk Tower for Ingrid Jonker'. In: "Talk Tower for Ingrid Jonker", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 5 August - 5 September 2015.
Jason Brooks: 'Origins' Renton, Andrew ; and Brooks, Jason. 2015. Jason Brooks: 'Origins'. In: "Origins", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 10 June 18 July 2015.
Diango Hernández: 'The Book of Waves' Renton, Andrew ; and Hernández, Diango. 2015. Diango Hernández: 'The Book of Waves'. In: "The Book of Waves", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 29 April – 5 June 2015.
Werner Büttner: 'The Marking of the Abyss' Renton, Andrew ; and Büttner, Werner. 2015. Werner Büttner: 'The Marking of the Abyss'. In: "The Marking of ther Abyss", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 4 March – 18 April 2015.
"I Never Thought I'd See You Again: Painting History" Renton, Andrew . 2015. "I Never Thought I'd See You Again: Painting History". In: ""I Never Thought I'd See You Again: Painting History"", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 20 January - 27 February 2015.
João Onofre: 'Tacet' Renton, Andrew ; and Onofre, João. 2014. João Onofre: 'Tacet'. In: "Tacet", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 18 November 2014 – 10 January 2015.
Sigalit Landau: 'Knafeh' Renton, Andrew ; and Landau, Sigalit. 2014. Sigalit Landau: 'Knafeh'. In: "Knafeh", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 17 September – 1 November 2014.
Ian Whittlesea: A Breathing Bulb Renton, Andrew ; and Whittlesea, Ian. 2014. Ian Whittlesea: A Breathing Bulb. In: "A Breathing Bulb", Marlborough Contemprary, United Kingdom, 6 August - 6 September 2014.
Koen van den Broek: Cut Away the Snoopy Renton, Andrew ; and van den Broek, Koen. 2014. Koen van den Broek: Cut Away the Snoopy. In: "Cut Away the Snoopy", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 25 June – 2 August 2014.
Laurence Kavanagh: 'May' Renton, Andrew ; and Kavanagh, Laurence. 2014. Laurence Kavanagh: 'May'. In: "Laurence Kavanagh: 'May'", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 7 May–20 June 2014.
Graham Gussin: FORSAKENFOCUSVERTIGOPREDICTION Renton, Andrew ; and Gussin, Graham. 2014. Graham Gussin: FORSAKENFOCUSVERTIGOPREDICTION. In: "FORSAKENFOCUSVERTIGOPREDICTION", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 7 Mar to 12 April 2014.
Pamela Golden. "Good Morning! Mr. Williams." Renton, Andrew ; and Golden, Pamela. 2014. Pamela Golden. "Good Morning! Mr. Williams.". In: "Good Morning! Mr. Williams.", Marlborough Contemporary, United Kingdom, 15 Jan to 15 Feb 2014.
Koen van den Broek: Curbs and Cracks Renton, Andrew ; van den Broek, Koen; and Verhoeven, Thibaut. 2010. Koen van den Broek: Curbs and Cracks. In: "Curbs and Cracks", Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, Ghent, Belgium, 28 January to 10 May 2010.
Art TLV 08: Open Plan Living Renton, Andrew . 2008. Art TLV 08: Open Plan Living. In: "Art TLV: Open Plan Living", Helena Rubenstein Pavilion, Museum of Tel Aviv and others, Israel, 27 September 2008 - October 18 2008.
Front of House Renton, Andrew ; Corrales, Marcos; Jubelin, Narelle; and Ferreira, Angela. 2008. Front of House. In: "Front of House, London", Parasol Unit, United Kingdom, 16 April - 29 May 2008.
Stay forever and ever and ever Renton, Andrew . 2006. Stay forever and ever and ever. In: "Stay forever and ever and ever", South London Gallery, 5/2/2006 - 6/24/2006.
Werner Büttner. My Looting Eye: Collages Renton, Andrew ; and Wright, Philip, eds. 2015. Werner Büttner. My Looting Eye: Collages. London: Back Dog Publishing. ISBN 9781910433836