He set the direction of the institution, including buying ceramics and decorative arts.[6][7][8][9] Jim Barr was director 1976–1981.[6][9] Under his watch the Dowse's controversial work, Colin McCahon’s Wall of Death was acquired.[10][11] James Mack was director 1981–1988.[6][9] Bob Maysmor was director 1988–1998.[6][9] Tim Walker was director 1998–2008.[6][9] Cam McCracken was director 2008–2012, having had roles at Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts and the Auckland Art Gallery in Auckland and the Waikato Museum of Art and History.[12] He left to become director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.[13] Courtney Johnston was director 2012[14]–2018,[15] after roles at the National Library of New Zealand and Boost New Media where she worked in communications and web roles.[14] Karl Chitham started as director January 2019,[16] having been the director of Tauranga Art Gallery.