Kathy Barry is a visual artist based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.Barry holds a Master of Fine Arts with Honours and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Te Waka Tūhura Elam School of Fine Arts, Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Art History from Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka.

In 2024 her work was included in the major international group show Duty of Care at IMA/Institute of Modern Art in Meanjin Brisbane, curated by Stephanie Berlangieri, Robert Leonard and Angela Goddard. In 2023 she was selected by a private panel to receive the prestigious C Art Trust Award. Her first substantial survey exhibition, Energy Work, with Sarah Smuts-Kennedy, was curated by Christina Barton for Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery (2022).

Kathy’s work was represented in INCERTEZA VIVA the 32nd São Paolo Bienal (2016), curated by Danish curator and writer, Lars Bang Larson, who also included her work in Believe Not Every Spirit, But Try the Spirit at MUMA/Monash University Museum Art in Melbourne (2015). She staged Homeworld, a two-person exhibition with Isobel Thom, at Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery (2014), after completing an artist residency at Parehuia McCahon House followed by a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in the USA (2012).

Barry's artworks are held numerous public and private collections, including Ngā Puhipuhi o Te Herenga Waka Art Collection; The Koopman Collection at the National Library of the Netherlands; Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries; The University of Auckland Art Collection; Wellington City Council Art Collection; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; The Arts House Trust; and The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū.

Kathy Barry will present new work as a solo exhibition with Melanie Roger Gallery in August 2025.  This will be her first time showing with the gallery.  To register interest: info@melanierogergallery.com