Gemma Rolls-Bentley has been at the forefront of contemporary art for two decades, working passionately to champion diversity in the field. Her debut book Queer Art; From Canvas to Club and the Spaces Between is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and has been highlighted as a must-read by Them, Dazed, Timeout, The Guardian, Cultured and the FT. Her curatorial practice amplifies the work of female and queer artists and provides a platform for art that explores LGBTQIA+ identity. 

Gemma has curated for a range of international galleries and institutions. Most recently Sea State at Wolterton, Norfolk (on until Spring 2026) and She Sells Seashells at the Alice Austen House, NY. Gemma has taught at numerous institutions including the Royal College of Art, the Glasgow School of Art, and Goldsmiths, and was a juror for the 2025 John Moore’s Painting Prize.

She sits on the Courtauld Association Committee and the Leslie Lohman Museum Acquisitions Committee. The forthcoming publication Art Essentials: Queer Art, coauthored with Mollie Barnes, will be published by Thames & Hudson in April 2026. 

Favourite song: Small Town Boy, Shotgun (planning to rock version)

Queer Icon: Charlie Craggs

Favourite Cardion Arts moment: The first artists day we hosted, which brought together an amazing group of queer artists to learn and share with their peers and artists from the exhibition. Such a beautiful example of the magical and nurturing power of intergenerational queer community. I think everyone who participated in that day (myself included) will be forever changed by it..

She/Her

@gemmarollsbentley

Photo by Christa Holka