Renowned Asian Arts Curator Barry Till to Retire from AGGV

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Curator of Asian Art, Barry Till in 2004, examining approximately 700 ancient Chinese bronze artifacts being donated by Mr. and Mrs. Joey and Toby Tanenbaum of Toronto

Barry Till has announced his retirement after 36 years at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Till will be named as the AGGV’s first Curator Emeritus when his retirement takes effect at the end of September.

Barry Till received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Far Eastern Studies at the University of Saskatchewan and started a Doctorate of Philosophy at Oxford University in 1976.

He was awarded an exchange scholarship to China in 1977. Till spent three years studying and researching aspects of Chinese archaeology at the University of Nanjing.

Despite being “detained” by Chinese police on several occasions, he was selected as a model student by the professors at Nanjing University in 1979.

The AGGV’s Asian Art collection was started by the Gallery’s first director, Colin Graham who wanted the AGGV to differentiate itself from other galleries in western Canada by forming a unique collection of Asian art.

Graham hired Barry Till as a part-time Asian Arts curator in 1981, since then he has created an internationally recognized collection which includes over 10,000 pieces and makes up 50% of the total collection held by the AGGV.

“Barry is an internationally known and admired treasure in the field of Asian Art. Barry’s work and reputation have attracted donors, volunteers, and staff, including myself to the AGGV, he will be truly missed by all.” Jon Tupper, AGGV Director.

As Curator Emeritus Barry Till will continue to curate exhibitions and assist with building the AGGV Asian Arts collection.

Source: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria