Skarlet Smatana, the director of the George Economou Collection, is highlighted for her pivotal role in steering the private collection's public-facing initiatives and curatorial direction. Her leadership is exemplified by the launch of 'The Way We Live Now' in May 2026, the collection's first contemporary group exhibition sourced entirely from its own holdings. This landmark show explores the intersection of finance, politics, and intimacy, marking a significant moment in the collection's history of engaging with modern artistic consciousness.
The exhibition is a high-profile collaborative effort, featuring co-curation by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Hilton Als and Hammer Museum director emeritus Ann Philbin. This partnership underscores Smatana's strategy of aligning the George Economou Collection with leading institutional figures and critics to influence contemporary art discourse. By facilitating such substantial public programming, Smatana continues to elevate the collection's role in shaping broader art historical narratives and exhibition practices.