Artist Paul Butler appointed curator of contemporary art at the WAG

The Winnipeg Art Gallery has chosen a local artist as its new curator of contemporary art.

Paul Butler - whose work was recently on display as part of the WAG's Winnipeg Now exhibit - will start his new job May 1, 2013. Butler is currently living in Montreal, pursuing his masters in the fine arts faculty at Concordia.

In a release issued by the gallery, Butler says, "It is my belief that artists should play an integral role in the direction and vision of museums. I envision the WAG playing the role of a hub, not only for the community but for the greater art world. I am confident we can make contemporary art more accessible to a broader audience."

Butler will be tasked with expanding the gallery's collection of contemporary art, which includes painting, sculpture, video, installations, photography and multimedia production.

His own work has been exhibited around the world, at galleries in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Hong Kong. His work is included in collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the WAG and others.

Butler also has experience as a curator, at Winnipeg's own Plug In ICA and at galleries in the United States and Scotland.