About Michael
Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Michael Barry is a practising artist and art educator. Having completed his schooling in Port Elizabeth, he moved to Cape Town in 1976 to complete his Fine Arts honours degree.
Michael currently heads up the Department of Arts and Culture at Nelson Mandela University and is involved in numerous cultural development projects around Port Elizabeth. Read more
His work
Michael has participated in various art exhibitions, locally, nationally and internationally. One of his highlights is when he exhibited with George Pemba during the Imvaba and George Pemba exhibition.
He is committed to the development of local art, with recent installations ‘Arts heritage’ of his community; an exhibition to honour those intangible ‘heritages’ that reflect the common collective spirituality of his community.
Michael’s work ranges from portraits of musicians, to religious symbols, to interpretations of the spiritual consciousness of the community.
“The artist plays a major role in interpreting how society perceives itself both individually and collectively”
Public art commissions
- The MBDA route 67 project manager and artist for the 1976 art works on the SARS steps
- The Helenvale (HURP) Tusong centre art works (Kite boy and skipping girls)
- The Sunday Times 100 year celebration public art work in Queenstown
Interested in Michael's work?
Call: 082 362 5201
Email: info@michaelbarry.co.za
Education and qualifications
Michael attended the University of Cape Town and completed his Fine Art degree with honours at UCT's prestigious Michaelis fine art school.
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1985
Higher Degree in Education
UCT
He completed his Higher Degree in Education at UCT. A year later he took up a job of teaching art at St Thomas Secondary school, Port Elizabeth.
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2004-2007
Project Manager
CREATE SA PROJECT
During this time he was the Project Manager for Create SA Project supporting the entrepreneurial development for craft practitioners in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Free State and the Northern Cape.
Michael was also the Eastern Cape Coordinator for the Sunday times 100 year heritage project. -
2012
Master's Degree
NMU
Michael completed his Master’s degree at Mandela University (NMU), and has held leading positions at different art related institutions and worked previously as a secondary school art teacher.
Get in touch
Interested in Michael's work?
Call: 082 362 5201
Email: info@michaelbarry.co.za