Born in Hawkes Bay in 1940
A Painter, Sculptor and Muralist
Studied under P. Oldes
Attended Elam for one term
Co ran the Barry Lett Gallery
Barry took up painting full time in 1975.
He was Pat Hanly’s mural assistant, working on the murals for Birkenhead Trust Hotel (Auckland), Christchurch Town Hall and Auckland Airport.
In 1983 Lett painted a mural at Nga Tapuwae College where he encountered Maori carvers and became interested in working with wood.
He went on to create large scale stone sculptures comprising wood and wire netting covered in pebbles from the NZ coast.
Since 2002 the artist has worked almost exclusively in bronze. He has made a series of Bronze watchdogs of various shapes and sizes, representing themes of guardianship.
In the 1990’s Lett’s first child was born and over the next few years he stayed home looking after his son and daughter. This time reflected in his works that took on a toy like nature, cutout painted wooden reliefs, often with domestic family themes.
NZ rep; AAG, Hocken, J Wallace Col, Rot Mus, Te Papa