Barry Cleavin: key obituary facts
Is Barry Cleavin dead? Yes. Barry Cleavin died on September 6, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Barry Cleavin's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Barry Cleavin known for?
He was a New Zealand artist (born 1939).
More about Barry Cleavin
Born: 1939.
Place of birth: Dunedin.
Gender: male.
Occupation: artist, university teacher.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Education: King's High School.
Employer: University of Canterbury.
Awards: honorary doctor of the University of Canterbury.
Also known as: Barry Vickerman Cleavin.
Known for: Printmaking.
Barry Cleavin, a New Zealand printmaker and artist, died on September 6, 2026, aged 86.
Born in Dunedin in 1939, he attended King’s High School before moving to Christchurch in 1963 to study at the University of Canterbury, where he completed a Diploma of Fine Arts with honours in 1966. He later continued his training in Hawaii at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and went on to teach printmaking at the University of Canterbury, serving as senior lecturer from 1978 to 1990.
After the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, he returned to Dunedin and established a studio on the Otago Peninsula. Cleavin was also recognised for his work under the name Barry Vickerman Cleavin.