Jim and Mary Barr Archive

This archive contains research material and personal papers from Jim and Mary Barr, significant patrons, writers, and curators in New Zealand Aotearoa’s contemporary art scene. Since the early 1970s, the Barrs have collected and supported both established and emerging contemporary artists, with involvement in numerous exhibitions across New Zealand.

Organised into five boxes this archive reflects their research and professional engagement with significant exhibitions and artists.

Boxes includes:

RC2024/2/1: Teststrip on Tour, Cubewell House, Wellington, 1993

Documents the influential artist-run space, Teststrip (1992–1997). This series covers the March 1993 exhibition Teststrip on Tour at Cubism, Cubewell House, Wellington, featuring photos, catalogues, correspondence, press reviews, and miscellaneous ephemera.

RC2024/2/2: Philip Clairmont

Materials from the Barrs' 1987 touring retrospective of painter Philip Clairmont, which opened at the Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui. This series includes press clippings, exhibition catalogues, ephemera, and two letters used in the exhibition’s preparation.

RC2024/5/3 - RC2024/5/4: Giovanni Intra

Papers related to artist, writer, and gallery owner Giovanni Intra (1968–2002), spanning 1991 to circa 2009. It includes material from Intra’s work in New Zealand (Elam School of Fine Arts, Crushed Honey Press, Teststrip), Los Angeles, and the China Art Gallery, along with items collected after his passing in 2002.

RC2024/5/5: Julian Dashper, Marie Shannon, Michael Parekōwhai

Photographic, ephemera and manuscript material collected or received by Jim and Mary Barr from, or about Julian Dashper, Marie Shannon. Colour transparencies of Michael Parekōwhai "The Indefinite Article", 1990.