Gabriel Ritter

Gabriel Ritter is an Associate Professor and Director of the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He holds a joint appointment in the Department of History of Art & Architecture within the College of Letters and Science. Ritter earned his Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in Art History (with Japanese) from UCLA.

His research focuses on avant-garde visual art practices in modern/contemporary Japan, including Surrealism, the Gutai Art Association, and the concept of 'nonsense' as a critical lens. His work examines art production during historical crises, such as Japan’s Fifteen Year War, the Allied Occupation, and post-Fukushima contexts. He has curated major exhibitions like Between Action and the Unknown and contributed to Roppongi Crossing 2013 as one of the first non-Japanese curators.

Ritter’s recent publications include entries on contemporary artists like Yoo Youngkuk, Aliza Nisenbaum, and Kenneth Tam, emphasizing themes of identity, migration, and social justice. He has been recognized with awards such as the Tate Research Grant and Japan Foundation Fellowship.

• Advising/Grants: Mentored students like Fabián Leyva-Barragán and Alexander Unkovic. Led Mia’s DEAI initiatives, restructured curatorial teams, and prioritized inclusive collection development.
• Labs/Teams: Directs UCSB’s AD&A Museum, collaborating with institutions like the Mori Art Museum and Dallas Museum of Art. Active in curatorial exchange programs with U.S. and Japanese institutions.