The Dunedin Public Art Gallery is delighted to announce it has accepted the gift of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most important private collections of contemporary art.

The Barr Collection, comprising 435 individual items, has been gifted to the gallery by Wellington collectors Jim Barr and Mary Barr.

The collection includes major New Zealand artists such as Michael Parekōwhai, Peter Peryer, Ronnie van Hout, Frances Upritchard, John Pule, Simon Denny and Kate Newby.

It also includes international artists including Mikala Dwyer, Ricky Swallow and Martin Creed.

DPAG director Cam McCracken says, “This is one of New Zealand’s most significant private collections of contemporary art, so to secure its future in Dunedin is a fantastic result for our gallery and the wider community.

“This gift secures the long-term public stewardship and accessibility of this significant art collection for art lovers across Aotearoa and around the world.”

The Barrs began collecting contemporary art in the 1970s, focusing on conceptual and experimental practices often overlooked by the market and public collections at the time.

“The Barr Collection captures key moments in the development of contemporary art in New Zealand and internationally over the past five decades, often supporting artists early in their careers,” Mr McCracken says.

In 1997, the Barrs placed their entire collection on long-term loan with Dunedin Public Art Gallery, and, beginning in late 2025, they began the process of formally gifting the collection to DPAG. That has now been completed.

Mr McCracken says the earlier long-term loan of the collection to the gallery played a major role in shaping the gallery’s exhibitions, publications and public programmes over three decades.

DPAG exhibitions drawn from the Barr collection include Reboot and Good Work, which toured and reached audiences across New Zealand.

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