BARRY Lane, who has died aged 72, was the first director of Modern Art Oxford and had a lasting impact on British photographic culture.

Mr Lane established the museum as an important venue for the contemporary visual arts after it opened in 1965.

Barry Lane was born in Watford on March 22, 1944 to parents Freda (nee Lathwell), a children’s nurse, and Bill Lane, a teacher.

He went to Watford Boys’ Grammar School and, after he left in 1962, he went on to read philosophy and psychology at Oxford University.

On graduating in 1967 and having been president of the university’s art club, he remained in the city and became the first director of the Museum of Modern Art, now known as Modern Art Oxford, after it opened its doors two years previously.

He established the museum as an important venue for the contemporary visual arts with early exhibitions of photography, experimental architecture, installations, paintings and sculpture.

In 1970 he joined the Arts Council as regional art officer, organising 14 touring exhibitions in the area including early shows of 1840s photographers.

As the council’s first photography officer he had a lasting impact on British photographic culture.

He moved away from Oxford and lived in Westbury-sub-Mendip until his death earlier this year.

He had two daughters from his first marriage to Judith Lane and later married Sue Isherwood.

In 1995 he joined the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) as its secretary general.

His appointment came at a particularly challenging time with the Society’s National Centre of Photography struggling financially and its collection of historic photographs and equipment was seen by some as an unnecessary burden on the organisation.

He attempted to implement a feasibility study which suggested moving premises and finding a partner to ensure greater access to the collection.

The officers of the society differed, and sold the collection to the National Media Museum and he left the RPS in 2002.

After this he turned his attentions to his boyhood love of archaeology and local history joining various historical societies in Somerset.

He was an honorary curator at the Wells and Mendip museum from 2010 to 2016.

He died on March 4 and is survived by his wife, Sue Isherwood, his daughters from his first marriage to Judith, Thalia and Helena, his step daughter, Imogen and four grandchildren.