Mary Kisler


Mary Louise Kisler is a New Zealand curator, author, art historian and Radio New Zealand art commentator. She is best known for her publications which include Angels & Aristocrats: Early European Art in New Zealand Public Galleries and Finding Frances Hodgkins.
She has been a curator at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki since 1998 and is now the Senior Curator, Mackelvie Collection, International Art.

Biography

Kisler earned her master's degree in art history and Italian at the University of Auckland in 1994. In 1996 she commenced a PhD at the University on Dis/Ordered Femininity in Italian Renaissance Art.
Kisler's 2010 book Angels & Aristocrats: Early European Art in New Zealand Public Collections brings together artworks from the collections of five New Zealand galleries: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery. A touring exhibition with a selection of works from Kisler's book travelled to museums and galleries around New Zealand.
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kisler was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to art history and curation.

Publications

Everyday Miracles: The art of Stanley Spencer.Angels & Aristocrats: Early European Art in New Zealand Public Collections.Frances Hodgkins: European Journeys.Finding Frances Hodgkins.
  • ''The Dark Dad: War and Trauma — a Daughter's Tale''