The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Former V&A director dies
Dr Martin Roth was major force behind Dundee expansion
A former director of the V&A museum has died at the age of 62.
Dr Martin Roth, was director of the V&A in London from 2011 to 2016 and was said to have been a “great supporter” of the museum development in Dundee.
Nicholas Coleridge, chairman of the V&A, said: “Martin will be remembered as a man of prodigious energy; a director with a global reputation both within the museum world and beyond; a committed Europhile and cultural ambassador with a philosophical turn of mind, as well as a devoted husband and father.
“Martin was the impetus behind initiatives such as the V&A’s presence at the Venice Biennale.
“He was instrumental in the founding of the V&A Research Institute, and was closely involved in the expansion of the museum’s footprint to Dundee and Shekou, as well as recent openings of the European Galleries 1600-1815 and the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter.
“This, combined with exhibitions such as David Bowie Is, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, Disobedient Objects and Engineering the World: Ove Arup, raised the V&A to new heights.
“We will greatly miss Martin, and are profoundly grateful for his considerable contribution to the V&A.”
Martin was said to have made it his mission to raise the international profile of the museum, and under his leadership, the V&A was named 2016 Art Fund Museum of the Year.
Philip Long, director of V&A Dundee, said: “I am very sorry to hear of Martin’s loss. “From the time he joined the V&A in 2011 he was a great supporter of the development of V&A Dundee.
“He will be much missed by the team here, as well as his former colleagues in London. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
A Leisure and Culture Dundee spokesperson added: “Martin was a hugely important figure in ensuring that the V&A Dundee was realised.
“He liked Dundee and was generous in his support for Dundee’s bids to become both UK and more recently European Capital of Culture.
“As the director of the Lintz European Year of Culture year, he knew at first hand what it would mean for Dundee.”