B.

In 1959 Barbara and André Brooke established Christchurch's first contemporary dealer art gallery at 91a Cashel Street. The Brookes positioned  contemporary New Zealand art as a desirable, exciting and important part of culture, while also cultivating a sophisticated and social atmosphere at Gallery 91. They served freshly pecolated European coffee, had furniture for visitors to sit comfortably in, and were open late into the evenings. Barbara and André hosted lively openings and offered a rich programme of public events such as artist talks, lectures and slide evenings.

Though short-lived (it closed after just 10 months), Gallery 91 was highly influential in the development of contempoary art in Christchurch – showing Louise Henderson, Don Peebles, Colin McCahon, Toss Woollaston, Milan Mrkusich, June Black, Olivia Spencer Bower, Helen Mason, John Coley and Juliet Peter amongst many other artists.