Meet the team
Tessa Giblin
Director
Tessa Giblin joined Talbot Rice Gallery as Director in November 2016. She was Commissioner and Curator of Ireland at the Venice Biennale 2017, with the artist Jesse Jones. From 2006 – 2016 she was Curator of Visual Arts at Project Arts Centre, Dublin. In 2015 she was Guest Curator of the steirischer herbst festival exhibition, Graz, Austria, where she presented the group exhibition ‘Hall of Half-Life‘ over four venues. At Project Arts Centre she curated numerous solo and group exhibitions, including ‘Riddle of the Burial Grounds‘ which toured to Extra City Kunsthal, Antwerp in 2016, and made commissioning new work a hallmark of her exhibitions. Tessa Giblin now lives in Edinburgh with her family. She was raised in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Director
Tessa Giblin joined Talbot Rice Gallery as Director in November 2016. She was Commissioner and Curator of Ireland at the Venice Biennale 2017, with the artist Jesse Jones. From 2006 – 2016 she was Curator of Visual Arts at Project Arts Centre, Dublin. In 2015 she was Guest Curator of the steirischer herbst festival exhibition, Graz, Austria, where she presented the group exhibition ‘Hall of Half-Life‘ over four venues. At Project Arts Centre she curated numerous solo and group exhibitions, including ‘Riddle of the Burial Grounds‘ which toured to Extra City Kunsthal, Antwerp in 2016, and made commissioning new work a hallmark of her exhibitions. Tessa Giblin now lives in Edinburgh with her family. She was raised in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Melissa MacRobert
Deputy Director
email: melissa.macrobert@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)131 651 4540
Melissa MacRobert is Deputy Director at Talbot Rice Gallery. She joined as Gallery & Exhibitions Manager in April 2018. With a background in project management and artist liaison, she previously worked with The Modern Institute, Glasgow and Hauser & Wirth, most significantly with Phyllida Barlow on new commissions for British Pavilion, Venice Biennale (2017); Kunsthalle Zürich (2016); Tate Britain Duveen Commission (2014) and Carnegie International, Pittsburgh (2013).
Melissa leads on exhibition management and manages the operational, strategic and creative activities of the gallery to meet commitments to the University, funders, artists and audiences. Responsibilities include: managing new artistic commissions, project-managing exhibitions and touring; publishing; financial management, fundraising and income generation.
Deputy Director
email: melissa.macrobert@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)131 651 4540
Melissa MacRobert is Deputy Director at Talbot Rice Gallery. She joined as Gallery & Exhibitions Manager in April 2018. With a background in project management and artist liaison, she previously worked with The Modern Institute, Glasgow and Hauser & Wirth, most significantly with Phyllida Barlow on new commissions for British Pavilion, Venice Biennale (2017); Kunsthalle Zürich (2016); Tate Britain Duveen Commission (2014) and Carnegie International, Pittsburgh (2013).
Melissa leads on exhibition management and manages the operational, strategic and creative activities of the gallery to meet commitments to the University, funders, artists and audiences. Responsibilities include: managing new artistic commissions, project-managing exhibitions and touring; publishing; financial management, fundraising and income generation.
James Clegg
Curator
email: james.clegg@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)131 650 2211
James joined Talbot Rice Gallery in 2010. Working on the development of exhibitions - from their inception through to delivery - he is involved in all aspects of the Gallery's creative programme. He also organises the Outreach and Widening Participation programme, working with schools, prisons and those affected by homelessness. James has led on a number of exhibitions since 2014, including John Akomfrah's 'Vertigo Sea' and Stephen Sutcliffe's 'Sex Symbols in Sandwich Signs' and 'Pine's Eye' - a major group show exploring how ecological thinking might positively transform our sense of being human.
Curator
email: james.clegg@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)131 650 2211
James joined Talbot Rice Gallery in 2010. Working on the development of exhibitions - from their inception through to delivery - he is involved in all aspects of the Gallery's creative programme. He also organises the Outreach and Widening Participation programme, working with schools, prisons and those affected by homelessness. James has led on a number of exhibitions since 2014, including John Akomfrah's 'Vertigo Sea' and Stephen Sutcliffe's 'Sex Symbols in Sandwich Signs' and 'Pine's Eye' - a major group show exploring how ecological thinking might positively transform our sense of being human.
Colm Clarke
Gallery Technician
email: colm.clarke@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4547
Colm provides specialist technical knowledge and skills to facilitate the delivery of a programme of exhibitions primarily at Talbot Rice Gallery, but with a remit for consultation on visual art projects across CHSS. He works with curators and artists to interpret as well as inform their creative and curatorial work to enhance effective exhibitions design and budgeting across multiple projects. He is responsible for the planning of all physical aspects of the exhibitions programme including logistics, display, fabrication, and audio visual.
Colm also evaluates and monitors estate issues throughout the galleries, including on-going maintenance, small capital works and major refurbishment and is proud to be the TRG Sustainability Champion.
Gallery Technician
email: colm.clarke@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4547
Colm provides specialist technical knowledge and skills to facilitate the delivery of a programme of exhibitions primarily at Talbot Rice Gallery, but with a remit for consultation on visual art projects across CHSS. He works with curators and artists to interpret as well as inform their creative and curatorial work to enhance effective exhibitions design and budgeting across multiple projects. He is responsible for the planning of all physical aspects of the exhibitions programme including logistics, display, fabrication, and audio visual.
Colm also evaluates and monitors estate issues throughout the galleries, including on-going maintenance, small capital works and major refurbishment and is proud to be the TRG Sustainability Champion.
Tanith Marron
Assistant Gallery Technician
email: tanith.marron@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 650 9746
Tanith joined Talbot Rice in April 2023. She graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art before going on to work with artist-led projects, she is currently sitting on the board of directors with Tin Roof Collective. Having worked with galleries and museums across Scotland Tanith brings her technical skills to the TRG team. She will be working with our Gallery Technician to facilitate the planning, production, and delivery of TRG’s exhibition programme.
Assistant Gallery Technician
email: tanith.marron@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 650 9746
Tanith joined Talbot Rice in April 2023. She graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art before going on to work with artist-led projects, she is currently sitting on the board of directors with Tin Roof Collective. Having worked with galleries and museums across Scotland Tanith brings her technical skills to the TRG team. She will be working with our Gallery Technician to facilitate the planning, production, and delivery of TRG’s exhibition programme.
Sarah Leal
Community Engagement Officer
email: sleal@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4784
Sarah joined Talbot Rice Gallery in November 2023. Born in France with a multicultural background, she moved to Scotland in 2017. For the past six years, she worked in communities and museums (notably The Burrell Collection and the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow) widening access and participation. Her upbringing and experiences taught her the barriers that people might face in accessing art, which shone a light on the power of community engagement and the transformative potential of art.
As the Community Engagement Officer, Sarah is responsible for developing and leading workshops, tours and activities for the community. Contributing to creating and sustaining stronger relationships with the University community and external local organisations and partners.
Community Engagement Officer
email: sleal@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4784
Sarah joined Talbot Rice Gallery in November 2023. Born in France with a multicultural background, she moved to Scotland in 2017. For the past six years, she worked in communities and museums (notably The Burrell Collection and the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow) widening access and participation. Her upbringing and experiences taught her the barriers that people might face in accessing art, which shone a light on the power of community engagement and the transformative potential of art.
As the Community Engagement Officer, Sarah is responsible for developing and leading workshops, tours and activities for the community. Contributing to creating and sustaining stronger relationships with the University community and external local organisations and partners.
Monika Stepanikova
Duty & Office Manager
email: Monika.Stepanikova@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4356
Monika joined Talbot Rice Gallery in June 2022. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, she has called Edinburgh home since 2019. An alumnus of ECA, she graduated with a Msc. in Modern and Contemporary Art History focusing on Feminist Art History and Decolonial Feminism.
As Duty & Office Manager at Talbot Rice Gallery, Monika supports the operational, financial and HR components of the gallery. She is responsible for TRG Front of House team, events and budget management, and assists with artists' projects for exhibitions.
Duty & Office Manager
email: Monika.Stepanikova@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4356
Monika joined Talbot Rice Gallery in June 2022. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, she has called Edinburgh home since 2019. An alumnus of ECA, she graduated with a Msc. in Modern and Contemporary Art History focusing on Feminist Art History and Decolonial Feminism.
As Duty & Office Manager at Talbot Rice Gallery, Monika supports the operational, financial and HR components of the gallery. She is responsible for TRG Front of House team, events and budget management, and assists with artists' projects for exhibitions.
Vira Putri
Gallery Assistant
email: vira.putri@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4546
Vira Putri joined Talbot Rice Gallery in 2021 after graduating with an MA Fine Art at the Edinburgh College of Art. She has worked at several art institutions in both Edinburgh and Jakarta, which includes the National Gallery of Indonesia. As Gallery Assistant, Vira provides administrative and Front of House support for the gallery. She also contributes to widening participation, event management and volunteer coordination. Vira also supports the gallery with social media content, marketing, and design.
Gallery Assistant
email: vira.putri@ed.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)131 651 4546
Vira Putri joined Talbot Rice Gallery in 2021 after graduating with an MA Fine Art at the Edinburgh College of Art. She has worked at several art institutions in both Edinburgh and Jakarta, which includes the National Gallery of Indonesia. As Gallery Assistant, Vira provides administrative and Front of House support for the gallery. She also contributes to widening participation, event management and volunteer coordination. Vira also supports the gallery with social media content, marketing, and design.