On the ‘immensely difficult task’ of writing what you see, The Post, 26 October 2025
Christina Barton MNZM is an art historian, curator, art writer, editor and educator. She was director of Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery from 2007 to 2023 and taught art history at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington from 1995 to 2007. In her new book, Out of the Blue: Essays on Artists from Aotearoa New Zealand 1985-2021, she collects 37 pieces of writing from throughout her career of engaging with, thinking about and deeply loving art. Out of the Blue, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press, is out November 6. RRP: $50.
What about art curation is misunderstood or not known about by the art-gallery-going public?
There are many ways to be a curator and I’ve definitely tried a few. Every approach (whether it is working with living artists or mining the archive) takes a huge amount of time and effort. This entails a combination of looking, thinking, reading, researching, writing, together with a raft of practical skills. Curators have to have immense powers of persuasion, organisational ability, financial good-sense, effective time-management, a good eye for design. They must be excellent hosts and able to talk effectively to the public and the press.