Liam Barr

Liam Barr is a leading contemporary New Zealand artist. A recurring theme in Barr’s work is the idea of symbolism reflecting an aura of pathos, displacement and insight into contemporary New Zealand life.

Barr’s finely honed skills communicate with delicacy, compassion and perception aspects of the human condition. With a breath of irony his works delve into more serious concerns of spirituality, morality, the environment and one’s role in life.

Liam Barr emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand with his family in 1974. Following a period of travel overseas, Barr settled in Perth, Western Australia, where he trained and worked as a graphic designer before returning to New Zealand in 2004 to further develop his artistic career.

The exploration of folk, history and the peculiarities therein, is at the essence of Barr’s work. This is expressed through meticulous attention to form and structure within the development of his subjects. 

Liam Barr was recently featured on TVNZ One news, on the 4th of May, for his involvement in the Urban Art Foundation public art initiative. Liam Barr is currently working on a new series of works from his studio in Wellington.

“Within the land you will find people on it. How we respond, interact and embrace it, holds fascination for me and is ultimately linked to our survival. My work seeks to form a connection between the land and those who live upon it. Each is a contemplation of thought, mindfulness and a tale of ones place within.” – Liam Barr

ARTIS Gallery has represented Liam Barr since 2012 and he has held three exhibitions at ARTIS – the most recent being ‘Tethered’, in September 2018. 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS AT ARTIS

2019 – Still Lives, Artis Gallery, Auckland
2018 – Tethered, Artis Gallery, Auckland
2016 – Avian, Artis Gallery, Auckland
2014 – Lore & Behold, Artis Gallery, Auckland

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

2019 – Strange & Memorable, Michael Dunn, Art New Zealand, Autumn 2019
2018 – Journal Magazine – Edition 3. NZ
2017 – Miroir Magazine – Legend. USA
2016 – Making Sense of a small state, Peter Cleave. Campus Press, NZ
2016 – BloPop Magazine – Vol.2, Luciano Martinez, Spain
2015 – The Encyclopedia of Fernal Affairs, Liba W. Stambollion, France
2015 – Eclectix – interview 58, USA
2013 – Hey Magazine #13, Ankama Editions, France
2012 – Devining the Dream, Liba W. Stambollion, France
2008 – NZ Herald 20/9/08, Raise a glass to the small things, T.J. McNamara, NZ
2008 – Artnews – Spring 08, Excursions into Grand-Land, NZ
2007 – Auckland Herald 9/8/07, Arts editors pick of the week, T.J. McNamara, NZ
2007 – NZ Favourite Artists 2, Denis Robinson, NZ

ACADEMIC HISTORY

1992 – 1994 Diploma (dist.) Perth Metropolitan College of Art & Design, Perth W.A.

MAJOR COMMISSIONS

2019 Art Historian, Michael R. Dunn
2014 New Zealand Defence & Veteran Services.
Liam Barr accepted a commission by the NZ Defence Force Veteran Services to create an artwork to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. As a result he had the privilege of accompanying thirty NZDF veterans and personnel on a trip to South Korea. His experiences in South Korea culminated in a painting that became part of the NZDF art collection and was presented prior to ANZAC Day April 2014.
2014 Dame Suzie Moncrieff – (World of Wearable Arts)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2020 – Still Lives: Artis Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2018 – Tethered: Artis Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2016 – Avian: Artis Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2014 – Lore & Behold: Artis Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2011 – Pakeha: John Leech Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2008 – Grand-Land: Warwick Henderson Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2007 – Hei Tiki – Hi Mate: Warwick Henderson Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2003 – Adrift – Journeys To The Other Me: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, W.A.

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

2020 – International Urban Art Exchange (Digital), Nationwide, NZ/Turku, Finland
2020 – ‘Retrospective’ Urban Art Foundation (Digital), Wellington wide, NZ
2018 – ‘KM130’ NZ Portrait Gallery, Wellington, NZ
2014 – ‘Scape’ Whakatane Art Museum, Te Koputu a te whanga a Toi, NZ
2009 – ‘Mind Games, An Exhibition of Surrealism in Aotearoa’ Hastings City Art Gallery, NZ
2007 – ‘Tears For Tane’s Children’, Whangarei Art Museum, Whangarei, NZ

COMPETITIONS/AWARDS

2015 – Wallace Art Awards, Finalist, Auckland. NZ – Finalist
2012 – Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Whakatane Community Arts Council, Whakatane, NZ – Finalist
2010 – Adam Portraiture Award, NZ Portrait Gallery, Wellington, NZ – Finalist
2008 – Waikato Painting & Printmaking Award, WSA, Hamilton, NZ – Finalist
2007 – Wallace Art Awards, Auckland. NZ – Finalist
2005 – Martin Hughes Pacific Art Award, MHG. Auckland. NZ