Annabelle Selldorf expressed her profound sense of responsibility upon winning the commission to remodel the Sainsbury Wing, acknowledging the cultural significance of the location in Trafalgar Square. She stated, “It’s me they hired. It’s a big deal. It’s a really big deal to be in this place... How much Trafalgar Square means to people, means to the world. The age, the place... nobody can escape that; you can’t be at all blasé about it.”
During a recent tour, Selldorf discussed the extensive remodel of the Sainsbury Wing, a vital part of the National Gallery’s £85m NG200 programme. She articulated her vision to create a more inviting entrance to the gallery, aiming to infuse it with more light, remarking that the remodeling would not only enhance the visitor experience but also honor the building’s historical context and significance.
The remodel will coincide with the finishing touches on the National Gallery’s collection rehanging, introducing visitors to a variety of Renaissance paintings in newly updated spaces. Selldorf's project aims to breathe new life into the Sainsbury Wing, which originally opened in 1991, and to revitalize the surrounding galleries with a complete rehang of key artworks, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Selldorf emphasized the historical weight of the Sainsbury Wing, noting that the design and legacy of its postmodern roots created an imperative to innovate thoughtfully. She indicated that “the galleries on the wing's second floor have been closed... but will house a complete rehang of northern and southern Renaissance paintings... in the great central corridor.”
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