Gibson Thornley have won the competition to refurbish and redesign the South Asia Galleries at Victoria and Albert Museum. The project includes the refurbishment of the existing galleries and the re-design of the permanent South Asia collection.
Working with, Purcell, BOB Design Ltd, Tabassum Akbar, Arpna Gupta, Ritchie+Daffin, Structure Workshop Ltd, MGS, David Bonnet and Pyrolec, the project is expected to open in Spring 2028 and see a full redesign and redisplay of the gallery, “creating a welcoming and visually arresting gallery”, and “bringing new transparency to the colonial history” of the collection.
The project is the third undertaken by Gibson Thornley at V&A South Kensington, following Frida Kahlo, Making Her Self Up in 2018 and the Photography Centre opened in 2023.
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A:
"The V&A is delighted to be working with Gibson Thornley to transform this vital space into a welcoming gallery, that sits at the heart of the museum. Gibson Thornley's sensitive approach has a focus on atmosphere and material, offering a flexible display system that brings to life one of the very greatest collections of South Asian art and design. We are excited by the team's vision to create evocative displays of differing scales, providing new narratives and inspiring our visitors."
Matt Thornley, Co-founder of Gibson Thornley:
“We are delighted to be working with the V&A South Kensington on this important project. The galleries will give new insight into the collection and showcase the exquisite craft associated with South Asia.”