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Semíramis González is the new director of Laboral Art Center
Semíramis González (Gijón, 1988) returns to her hometown and becomes the new director of the Laboral Art Center. She arrives from Madrid, where she has lived for the past few years, after becoming one of the most renowned independent curators of the last decade.
Her work is characterized by a feminist vision that asserts the role of women in contemporary art. Between 2018 and 2022, she served as artistic director of the emerging art fairs JUSTMAD Madrid and JUSTLX Lisbon. She has coordinated art projects in multiple venues and has extensive experience as a curator.
The board of trustees ratified the agreement this morning. As established in the rules for selecting the jury, LABoral's scientific committee proposed three members: María Castellanos, Jorge Fernández León, and Roberta Bosco. At the suggestion of this committee, and as an expert in art and cultural management, Concha Jerez was also appointed.
Semíramis González, taking over from Pablo León, explains that there are many challenges facing the leadership of Laboral. The proposal is based on a horizontal structure, where management is not positioned above the organization but rather integrated as a cog in a collective mechanism. This organizational model favors shared decision-making and programming that responds sensitively to contemporary concerns, from climate to social issues.
Although the international focus is undoubtedly the most developed area for Laboral in Gijón, I insist on also strengthening the national, regional, and local focus. Focusing on these levels not only diversifies the voices present in the programming, but also allows for a closer dialogue with audiences and the realities of the region.
After learning of her appointment as the new director, she explained: “In my project, I championed my experience. Over these 10 years, I've worked with many national and international museums, in museums like the Thyssen, with ongoing programs. I placed a lot of emphasis on the working methodology, on dialogue. And then there's that personal dimension: I truly believe in Asturias. Oviedo is bidding for European Capital of Culture; the Bellas Artes Museum is awaiting a new director.”
