Barry Lett Galleries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barry Lett Galleries |
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The Barry Lett Galleries pictured in the early 1970s
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| General information | |
| Location | Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD |
| Coordinates | 36°50′55″S 174°45′50″E / 36.8485°S 174.7640°E |
Barry Lett Galleries was a special art gallery in Auckland, New Zealand. It showed and sold modern New Zealand art. The gallery was open during the 1960s and 1970s. It helped many famous New Zealand artists share their work.
History of the Gallery
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The Barry Lett Galleries first opened in 1965. It was started by three friends: Barry Lett, Rodney Kirk Smith, and Frank Lowe. Barry Lett had just finished art school. Frank Lowe had experience running another gallery called Ikon Gallery.
In the early 1960s, many new art galleries started in Auckland. These galleries helped people see and buy modern New Zealand art. Barry Lett Galleries became very important. It filled a gap after Ikon Gallery closed. Another gallery, New Vision Gallery, also helped.
Barry Lett Galleries showed art from many top painters of the 1960s and 1970s. Some famous artists included Colin McCahon, Don Binney, Pat Hanly, and Ralph Hotere. The gallery also showed art from "post-object" artists like Jim Allen. These artists often used new ways of making art, not just traditional paintings.
In 1975, the gallery celebrated its tenth birthday. They held a special show. It featured two artworks from 14 of their main artists. These included well-known names like McCahon and Binney.
Changes happened at the gallery over time. Frank Lowe sold his share in 1966. In 1975, Barry Lett left the gallery to focus on his own painting. Rodney Kirk-Smith continued to run it. In 1976, the gallery changed its name to RKS Art.
Special Art Prints (Multiples)
In 1968, the gallery created a special set of prints. These prints were made by 12 of their artists. The idea was to make modern art easier for everyone to own. The prints were sold at a price that was affordable.
Barry Lett chose these 12 artists because they were new and exciting. They included artists like Binney, McCahon, and Hotere. Around 200 to 250 copies of each print were made. This project helped more people enjoy contemporary art.
Artists Who Showed Their Work
Many talented artists showed their art at Barry Lett Galleries. Here are some of them:
- Gretchen Albrecht
- Don Binney
- Paul Cullen
- Robert Ellis
- Suzanne Goldberg
- Pat Hanly
- Ralph Hotere
- Michael Illingworth
- Tom Kreisler
- Vivian Lynn
- David Mealing
- Selwyn Muru
- Milan Mrkusich
- Leon Narbey
- Don Peebles
- John Perry
- Ross Ritchie
- Michael Smither
- Paul Tangata
- Geoff Thornley
- Teuane Tibbo
- M.T. Woollaston
