Ames Yavuz appoints Owen Craven as Managing Director in Australia

19 Jun 2024

Ames Yavuz is delighted to announce the appointment of Owen Craven as Managing Director of Ames Yavuz Australia. Craven will join the Gallery in July to lead the two exhibition spaces in Sydney and drive the next phase of expansion in Australia.

In his new role at Ames Yavuz, Craven will expand on the dynamic curatorial programming and grow the gallery’s roster of artists. “We are excited to have Owen join us to further our vision to facilitate uncensored and uncompromised ways of celebrating local and international art in Australia. Owen is extremely knowledgeable and well-respected in the industry and shares our passion to provide a platform for transformative and compelling artistic voices from around the globe,” states Can Yavuz, Founding Director. 

Reflecting on his new appointment, Craven said, “There has never been a more exciting time for Australian artists on the world stage. I am thrilled to be joining Ames Yavuz at this time of expansion in Australia and in representing our Australian talent internationally. My career has been driven by a passion for creating new opportunities for artists and their art. I am excited to join the Ames Yavuz team, support our artists and showcase their remarkable work.”

Craven brings more than 15 years of experience in the visual arts sector, most recently serving as Managing Principal and Senior Curator at Urban Arts Projects (UAP). During his 9 years at UAP, he led the Curatorial, Design, and Business Development teams for Australia and the Middle East. He expanded UAP from its Brisbane headquarters to include studios in Sydney and Melbourne and grew its successful consultancy business. Craven played a pivotal role in delivering major public artworks across Australia and internationally, supporting commissioning clients and working closely with renowned artists to extend their ideas into large-scale public artworks. Notably, he has collaborated with several Ames Yavuz artists including Abdul Abdullah, Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, and Caroline Rothwell.

Craven holds a Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Theory) from the University of Sydney. He lives in Sydney with his partner and daughter.