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.
The collection had been on long-term loan to the gallery since 1997 — a decision which proved to be a ‘‘total win-win’’, Mr Barr said.
‘‘It was a rather strange thing for us, living in Wellington, to send it to Dunedin at the time, but God it’s paid off.’’
Ms Barr said it had been ‘‘obvious’’ the collection would stay in Dunedin when it came time for the couple to part with it.
The gallery had kept the collection in ‘‘phenomenal condition’’, communicated well and, crucially, displayed the work.
‘‘The main reason to have it in a public art gallery was so people could see it,’’ Mr Barr said.
‘‘Although we have lived in some quite large spaces, a huge amount of [the collection] was just in cupboards and in store rooms — that just seemed ridiculous that we were supporting all these artists but no-one ever got to see the work we had.
‘‘Dunedin have been just sensational at both showing it in their gallery but they’ve also lent it out to other galleries.’’
Mr Barr said it was time their good relationship with the gallery be ‘‘sealed’’.
The couple’s son was in complete agreement about the decision, he said.
‘‘Dunedin, of course, was the centre of culture for so long in New Zealand, so its collections are amazing — it’s really nice to be part of that story,’’ Mr Barr said.
‘‘[It’s] been really very, very good for us that it’s resolved itself like this — we’re very happy,’’ Ms Barr said.
Gallery director Cam McCracken described the gift as one of New Zealand’s most significant private collections of contemporary art.
Cementing its future in Dunedin was a ‘‘fantastic result’’ for the gallery and the wider community — and secured long-term public stewardship and accessibility of the works.
The long-term loan had played a major role in shaping the gallery’s exhibitions, publications and public programmes over 30 years, Mr McCracken said.
The collection is predominantly made up of work by New Zealand artists — including Michael Parekōwhai, Peter Peryer and Kate Newby — with some international artists, such as Mikala Dwyer, Ricky Swallow and Martin Creed.
The Barrs began collecting art in 1971, largely work by younger artists, and ‘‘tended to buy a lot of work by one artist rather than just lots of different artists,’’ Mr Barr said.
‘‘The works vary from things that occupy a room to little works on paper.’’
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.
