Kōrero: Art galleries and collections

From the 1970s art galleries underwent a process of modernisation. They showed more modern and New Zealand art, and attempted to attract new audiences through the gallery doors. Many developed public outreach programmes and mounted exhibitions with certain audiences in mind. In 1977 an exhibition called Touch was held at the National Art Gallery in Wellington. In a departure from convention, visitors could touch art works and the exhibition was particularly aimed at blind people, such as Allan Jones, seen here touching a sculpture by British artist Vivien Ap Rhys Pryce.