Christina Barton
Te Whanganui-a-Tara WellingtonAotearoa New Zealand
Educator
My specialist subject is the history of art in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular focus on art after 1960. I brought my research-led practice as a writer and curator to my teaching, showing students how to utilise primary resources, encouraging them to understand the contexts within which art is made and consumed, and enabling first-hand exposure to artists, curators, writers, exhibitions and collections.
I have run and participated in workshops for emerging curators and art writers. A career highlight was the four-week Summer Intensive I conceived and ran in 2017 in Auckland and Wellington that enabled twelve students and emerging professionals to learn about researching, writing and curating and saw us co-create a publication of original art writing and producing a small exhibition that drew on the Art Collection at Victoria University of Wellington.
In May 2026 I am co-leading a workshop for early-career artists, curators and writers at the Venice Biennale with Hanahiva Rose, Curator of Contemporary Art at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. This is an initiative of The Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa (OCAA).
I have extensive experience as a public speaker and am convinced of the importance of conveying my enthusiasm and knowledge in ways that are informative and galvanising. I have supervised several Masters and Doctoral theses, and am especially pleased to have played a part in the education of several cultural leaders.
I am currently Adjunct Professor at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington and Researcher-at-large at Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery.
For further information about my teaching and public talks see my full CV [pdf].