A well-curated relationship between a gallery and two art collectors has resulted one of New Zealand\u2019s most significant private collections of contemporary art being bestowed on Dunedin.<\/p>\n
Wellington collectors Jim Barr and Mary Barr have given their 435-item collection to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, much to the delight of its director.<\/p>\n
The collection had been on long-term loan to the gallery since 1997 \u2014 a decision which proved to be a \u2018\u2018total win-win\u2019\u2019, Mr Barr said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It was a rather strange thing for us, living in Wellington, to send it to Dunedin at the time, but God it\u2019s paid off.\u2019\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ms Barr said it had been \u2018\u2018obvious\u2019\u2019 the collection would stay in Dunedin when it came time for the couple to part with it.<\/p>\n
The gallery had kept the collection in \u2018\u2018phenomenal condition\u2019\u2019, communicated well and, crucially, displayed the work.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The main reason to have it in a public art gallery was so people could see it,\u2019\u2019 Mr Barr said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Although we have lived in some quite large spaces, a huge amount of [the collection] was just in cupboards and in store rooms \u2014 that just seemed ridiculous that we were supporting all these artists but no-one ever got to see the work we had.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Dunedin have been just sensational at both showing it in their gallery but they\u2019ve also lent it out to other galleries.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Barr said it was time their good relationship with the gallery be \u2018\u2018sealed\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The couple\u2019s son was in complete agreement about the decision, he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Dunedin, of course, was the centre of culture for so long in New Zealand, so its collections are amazing \u2014 it\u2019s really nice to be part of that story,\u2019\u2019 Mr Barr said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018[It\u2019s] been really very, very good for us that it\u2019s resolved itself like this \u2014 we\u2019re very happy,\u2019\u2019 Ms Barr said.<\/p>\n
Gallery director Cam McCracken described the gift as one of New Zealand\u2019s most significant private collections of contemporary art.<\/p>\n
Cementing its future in Dunedin was a \u2018\u2018fantastic result\u2019\u2019 for the gallery and the wider community \u2014 and secured long-term public stewardship and accessibility of the works.<\/p>\n
The long-term loan had played a major role in shaping the gallery\u2019s exhibitions, publications and public programmes over 30 years, Mr McCracken said.<\/p>\n
The collection is predominantly made up of work by New Zealand artists \u2014 including Michael Parek\u014dwhai, Peter Peryer and Kate Newby \u2014 with some international artists, such as Mikala Dwyer, Ricky Swallow and Martin Creed.<\/p>\n
The Barrs began collecting art in 1971, largely work by younger artists, and \u2018\u2018tended to buy a lot of work by one artist rather than just lots of different artists,\u2019\u2019 Mr Barr said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The works vary from things that occupy a room to little works on paper.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The couple began the process of formally gifting the collection to the gallery late last year. Some works the Barrs would keep at their Wellington home, earmarked as a promised gift to the gallery.<\/p>\n