Less than a year after taking over the reins of Wollongong City Gallery, Craig Judd has been dismissed as director by the gallery's board.Peter Kofod, chairman of the board, told shocked gallery staff shortly before Christmas that Mr Judd, who took up the post on January 14, 2008, would not be returning in 2009.Mr Kofod said Mr Judd's original four-year contract was prematurely ceased in mid-December, but he declined to reveal the reasons for dismissal."The actual details of his dismissal are confidential, just like any employee-employer relationship," Mr Kofod said. "It was just a situation the board had to deal with and that was it. "There is nothing bad between ourselves and Craig, and it was a mutually agreed situation."Mr Judd could not be reached yesterday. Art world sources told the Mercury an unresolvable conflict arose between the director and the board.The gallery's deputy director John Monteleone said staff were shocked by the news.The dismissal leaves the gallery without a director for the second time in three years."I think everyone was surprised because there was no real inkling that it was going to happen," Mr Monteleone said.Mr Monteleone said they were not told why Mr Judd was leaving the $100,000-plus per year position after such a brief tenure."We weren't made aware of any reason as to why he left and no-one felt in the position to ask," Mr Monteleone said.Mr Judd's appointment last year followed an uncertain period for the gallery. Former director Peter O'Neill, who held the post for 15 years, took long-term sick leave in November 2006 and his contract was not renewed. Mr Monteleone was left to fill in during the 13-month period between Mr O'Neill's departure and Mr Judd's appointment.He will again act as director until a replacement for Mr Judd is found.Mr Judd came to Wollongong with more than 15 years' experience in the art world, including three years as senior curator with the Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart, manager of public programs for the Biennale of Sydney and curatorial work with the Art Gallery of NSW.During the Wollongong City Gallery's 30th anniversary celebrations last month Mr Judd told the Mercury he was looking forward to consolidating and enhancing the gallery's permanent collection."What I would like to achieve is that more people in Wollongong and the Illawarra come to the gallery and to enjoy the art and experiences they can have in the building," he said.Mr Monteleone said Mr Judd would be remembered for bringing a fresh perspective to the gallery."He brought some new and fresh perspectives in the 12 months that he was here and a lot of the things that he has implemented will bear fruit this year," Mr Monteleone said.Mr Kofod said Mr Judd's early departure was a "loss to the gallery"."He was a real asset and we were happy with what was going on in the gallery and its direction," Mr Kofod said.