Thomas Barrow

1938 - 2024

Thomas F. Barrow

Thomas F. Barrow died at home on August 5, 2024 of congestive heart failure. He was 85 years old.

Tom was definitely one of a kind. His enthusiasm was contagious, his quest for knowledge insatiable. He was known in the art world as a photographer but his career was multi-faceted: author, critic, scholar, museum director and curator, editor, educator, graphic designer, photo historian and lithographer.

He was a voracious reader, loved music, black and white films, cooking, his red Ford Lightning pick-up truck, a good cocktail and good conversation. A collector of art deco objects, Japanese lusterware, rare books and fine wine and spirits. He worked the NYT daily crossword in RED ink!

Born in Kansas City, MO in 1938, Tom earned his B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute, then his M.S. from the Illinois Institute of Technology (formally known as the Art Institute of Design) in Chicago. Tom spent eight years at the George Eastman House as Assistant Director in Rochester, NY before arriving at UNM in 1972 where he spent 29 years, first at the University Art Museum, then as a full professor in the Art and Art History Department.

When Tom retired in 2001, he and his close colleague, Betty Hahn would say, "artists don't retire, they just go to their studio." Indeed he did! Although Tom produced art, wrote articles, published books, etc. during the course of his career, only in retirement could he fulfill his lifelong desire to make art full time.

His work can be seen in many permanent collections including: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Fine Art in Houston, San Francisco MOMA, National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Canada, Victoria and Albert Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, University Art Museum at UNM, Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe and the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, AZ where his archive is held. He received two NEA Photographer Fellowships, the UNM Presidential Professorship Award, published two books as well as coauthoring multiple photography books.

Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Laurie Anderson Barrow; sons, Andrew (Beth Schelling) Barrow, Time (Destinie Pasqual) Barrow; daughter, Melissa Barrow and one grandchild, Chloe Barrow; brothers-in-law, Bruce Anderson and Jim Anderson (Dolly); and sister-in-law, Jane (Rick) Monroe; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friends, colleagues and adored grand dog, Woody.

There will be a memorial for Tom on September 22, 2024 at 2:00 in Keller Hall at the University of New Mexico.