This summer, we are excited to spotlight our current student, Léo Zhang (ARAD ’25), and celebrate his recent summer internship as a Library and Research Intern at Gagosian Gallery, one of the leading global art galleries presenting groundbreaking and thought-provoking art. Let’s hear what he has been up to recently!
Hi Léo! Tell us more about your current internship!
I’m Léo, and I am currently the summer intern for Gagosian’s Library and Archives team. Working here has been an enriching experience that has exposed me to a deeper level of the contemporary art world. I got lucky with my position as it is super dynamic. I split my time between the uptown location at 980 Madison and the Chelsea office, where I assist in various projects. This has allowed me to see more of Gagosian’s operations in NYC.
What does a typical day during your internship look like? Were there any specific projects or assignments that significantly contributed to your learning?
Daily, I assist in cataloging and archival work where I input important documents and publications into our digital system. I work with the librarians uptown and the archivist in the Chelsea location and have developed a workflow and understanding of how gallery archives operate. It’s been amazing to not only learn about the intricacies of the gallery’s operations but also to be exposed to a plethora of knowledge based on my team.
Every day I learn more and more about artists I was familiar with and even more about new artists I am just beginning to discover. In addition, I help the gallery assistants with daily operations that keep the gallery running, which has allowed me to get to know more people in other departments.
What advice would you give to our cohort and prospective students pursuing opportunities in art galleries?
My advice for anyone looking to work in gallery spaces is to try your best to have fun with the process of building your career. It seems really daunting and intimidating, especially when you are just starting out, but most people are really open to talking with you and sharing their experiences. There are so many interesting people with exciting and dynamic journeys, and there is so much to learn from them. Have fun and be loose. Art is a super dynamic and creative field, so it is the perfect medium for exciting conversations with those you work with.
About Léo Zhang (ARAD ‘25):
Léo Zhang is a visual artist from Windhoek, Namibia. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with high distinction in Studio Art and Global Studies. Post graduation, Léo completed a year-long artist residency as an Aunspaugh Fellow in the UVA Art Department working with Federico Cuatlacuatl. During his time in Charlottesville, he has worked for local galleries and art spaces such as Visible Records, Second Street Gallery, and Le Yeux du Monde. His interest in artist advocacy and accessibility has allowed him to work with organizations such as the Undocu+ Collective. Léo hopes to utilize the ARAD curriculum to learn more about community-based work and art spaces as a driver for community organizing and advocacy.
Arts Administration 
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