Tarka Russell is an art advisor, curator and cultural strategist working internationally. Her practice is shaped by more than a decade of experience at the intersection of independent galleries, public institutions, and private collections, and by a belief that strong collections are built through context, care, and long-term thinking rather than acquisition alone.

After beginning her career at Pace Gallery, Tarka went on to serve as Director of Timothy Taylor gallery for five years, where she worked closely with artists, estates, and museums, and curated exhibitions that brought emerging and established voices into sustained institutional dialogue. Her curatorial work has been widely recognised for its clarity and conviction, including projects presented during Frieze, London, and for her role in introducing emerging women artists who have since entered major international gallery programmes and collections. Notably, she has introduced talents such as Eleanor Johnson, Antonia Showering, Honor Titus, Sahara Longe, and Annie Morris to broader audiences. 

Since establishing her independent advisory in 2022, Tarka has worked with collectors and philanthropists at all stages of their collecting journey, advising across primary and secondary markets in modern and contemporary art. Her work often extends beyond collecting to encompass cultural strategy, legacy planning, and philanthropic engagement, playing an integral role in shaping significant private collections. Tarka's influence extends to her roles as a board member of institutions like the Glucksman Museum in Ireland, the major public-facing collection Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins (FAMM) in France, and ICA Miami. 

Central to Tarka’s approach is a close personal and individual approach to working with her clients. She tailors each collection to reflect not only individual taste, but also broader intellectual, cultural, and philanthropic ambitions. Drawing on deep institutional knowledge and an international network of artists, galleries, and museums, she helps clients place works with intention and build collections that resonate over time, both privately and publicly. Tarka's achievements have been celebrated in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, The Wick, and Galerie Magazine.

Whether advising on acquisitions, institutional partnerships, or long-term cultural impact, Tarka brings a thoughtful and globally informed perspective to every collaboration.