In a period of declining government support for the visual arts, it is always welcome when a colleague receives official recognition for their contribution to art history.
This year Associate Professor Tina Barton was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to art history and curation. Tina is currently the director of the Adam Art Gallery at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and continues to supervise in the Art History honours and postgraduate programmes.
Tina commenced her career at the Auckland Art Gallery (1988‒92) and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (1992‒94), before joining the Art History programme at Victoria University of Wellington, where she specialised in the history of art in Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2007 she was appointed Director of the Adam Art Gallery, where she has led a successful exhibition programme as well as contributing to the teaching of Art History.
“I’m very pleased art history and curation have received this recognition in the New Year’s Honours. It proves the value of this subject and the work my discipline achieves” said Associate Professor Tina Barton.
“The University has long been recognised as a leader in the field of art history and I am so proud of the many graduates now contributing to the cultural sector as a consequence of studying here. I hope this recognition can be used to advance further investment in the work to which I have dedicated my career” said Barton.
Associate Professor Barton has often produced the first exhibitions and publications on underrepresented and emerging artists. Last year, she published Billy Apple® Life/Work, a major study of a New Zealand artist who has been exhibited internationally for more than 60 years. The Art History programme at Victoria University of Wellington is currently undergoing a major refresh of its programme offerings, and continues to value Tina’s expertise and collegiality, and we are very happy to be able to celebrate this great achievement with her.
The official citation for Tina’s award can be viewed here