Emily-Jane Kirwan is the director of the Pace Gallery in New York, one of the most respected and renowned contemporary galleries in the world and a leader in its field.  The gallery has three spaces in New York and a gallery in Beijing. 

The gallery represents and exhibits the work of artists such as Jim Dine, Kiki Smith, Tara Donovan, Tim Hawkinson and the Irish sculptor Corban Walker, as well as representing several estates, among them Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko. The gallery, which celebrates its 50th year this year, has mounted nearly 700 exhibitions to date, and is known for its publications and scholarly presentations. 

A native of Dublin, Kirwan earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in art history and English literature from Trinity College Dublin, and a higher diploma in arts administration from University College Dublin. 

Kirwan moved to New York in 2001 for professional development and opportunities; she and her husband return to visit several times a year.  Kirwan is a member of the Young Leader’s group of the American Ireland Fund, the Irish Arts Center and Lismore Castle Arts in Co. Waterford.  Being Irish, Kirwan says, “means I feel part of a rich and unique, cultural and social heritage to which I have a responsibility to honor, promote, and hopefully enhance through my work with artists and the artistic community on the international stage.

“It also means I know I am connected to a strong global network resulting from the emigration experience which is part of each Irish generation past and present, a heritage which links us to our origins regardless of geographical location and I believe empowers us.”

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