Gareth Barlow, an accomplished painter and carver from the Hutt Valley, Wellington, is a sixth-generation New Zealander whose work deeply engages with Māori traditions and his own cultural heritage. His art reflects a profound connection to both indigenous culture and the natural landscape of Aotearoa. Barlow works primarily with a blend of acrylics and charcoals to evoke an ephemeral and transcendent quality within his large-scale portraits and symbolic compositions featuring native New Zealand flora and fauna, as well as portraiture and symbology rooted in his New Zealand and Celtic ancestry.

His recent series continues this exploration, shifting focus to birdlife, particularly native and endemic birds rendered in acrylic with fine, precise brushwork. The birds are depicted with a proud, almost regal presence, capturing their significance within both Māori and Pākehā worldviews. These works reflect the birds’ roles as guardians of the land and emblems of resilience, identity and unity. His bold, earthy colour palette and symbolic elements bring emotional depth and cultural context to each painting.

Barlow’s paintings often feature delicate dot patterns that echo the natural landscapes of Aotearoa, including mountains, seas and rivers, infusing each work with movement and vitality. His transition to full-time art six years ago follows a successful 30-year career in commercial art and design. Since then, he has earned recognition as a finalist in prestigious awards including the Wallace Art Awards (2020) and the Adam Portraiture Awards (2018, 2020). He was also Highly Commended and received the People’s Choice Award at the Parkin Drawing Prize in 2021.

His creative process balances disciplined routine with intuitive exploration. Guided by Māori beliefs that artists serve as conduits for divine creation, Barlow welcomes ancestral presence into his practice, imbuing each artwork with a spiritual dimension and deep cultural resonance.