Adrian Searle, the Guardian's chief art critic since 1996, is stepping down from his full-time role at the end of March. The announcement marks the end of a three-decade tenure during which Searle became one of the most influential voices in global arts journalism, known for his ability to write about art for a mass audience with authority, honesty and humour.
Searle's final article, a retrospective on the past 30 years and what he has learned, will be published on 1 April. He will continue to contribute occasional pieces to the Guardian. Before joining the newspaper, Searle was a painter, transitioning to criticism and quickly establishing himself as a pivotal figure during the rise of the Young British Artists (YBAs), offering early support for artists such as Steve McQueen, Gillian Wearing and Chris Ofili.
Throughout his career, Searle served on juries for major awards, including the Turner Prize in 2004, and organised exhibitions for institutions such as the Hayward Gallery, the Serpentine and the Reina Sofia in Madrid. His landmark reviews include his 1999 assessment of the Turner Prize shortlist, his take on Doris Salcedo's Shibboleth at Tate Modern, and his lyrical evaluation of Ragnar Kjartansson's The Visitors, which he called the best artwork of the 21st century so far.
Reflecting on his time at the Guardian, Searle said: 'Writing about art for the Guardian has been an exhilarating ride, during a period of huge social, political, cultural and technological change. It has been a privilege to be here, and especially to comment on the art I care about. Now, after 30 years, it feels like time to step away.'
Following Searle's departure, Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones will cover major exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale in May. Other regular critics include Charlotte Jansen, Eddy Frankel and Chloë Ashby, who will soon be joined by Ben Eastham. The arts desk is seeking additional art critics to write for the Guardian.
