Esteve-Coll described the challenges during her tenure as V&A director by saying, 'The whole period was very difficult indeed for everybody within the museum.' She acknowledged the attacks she faced were both personal and vicious, yet remained resolute.
When asked how she survived the backlash, Esteve-Coll stated, 'I have a group of extremely supportive close friends, I have a small, tight, close family, and they closed ranks.' This support system was crucial during her tumultuous leadership.
Reflecting on her controversial decisions, Esteve-Coll asserted, 'I am absolutely certain that the decisions taken then were the right ones.' However, these choices included making nine senior curators redundant, which drew significant criticism.
After enduring personal attacks, Esteve-Coll faced a hostile environment at the V&A, with prominent figures in the art world labeling her as a 'vulgar populist' and comparing her decisive actions to those of Robespierre.
#elizabeth-esteve-coll #victoria--albert-museum #art-criticism #museum-leadership #personal-resilience
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