Gareth Barlow
Gareth Barlow is a New Zealand carver whose work honours the spiritual and cultural traditions of Aotearoa. Guided by Māori philosophies that view artists as vessels for ancestral expression, his carvings embody living connections between people, land,
and whakapapa, serving as contemporary taonga that carry stories and values forward.
In Māori traditions, carved taonga hold great spiritual and cultural significance. They embody mauri (life force), mana (prestige/authority), and whakapapa (genealogical connections). It is far more than a mere physical object, they are considered a living entity and a link to ancestors and the natural world.
From 2026
These taonga explore the art of storytelling and the significance of oral traditions in everyday life, keeping the energy of past generations alive through the retelling of stories and memories. Each piece takes the form of a different animal, representing traits we aspire to as people:
Te Whai (The Stingray): Grace and elegance
Te Mangopare (The Hammerhead Shark): Agility and tenacity
Te Ruru (The Morepork): Knowledge and wisdom
Te Kārearea (The NZ Falcon): Speed and foresight
The central circle symbolizes the mouth, the vehicle for oral traditions, and is flanked by notching representing whakapapa. Each section contains three notches, reflecting the birth, life, and death of a generation. These guide the presence of ancestors to support the stories we carry forward.
The detailing incorporates pakati and haehae, each with their own whakapapa, combining to create movement and animation in the taonga, essentially bringing them to life. This energy generates mauri ora, fostering confidence in the presence of ancestors and, in turn, supporting prosperity.
Pendant, Te Whai. Whalebone, waxed braid, 70 x 47 x 8mm 1,200
Pendant, Te Mangopare. Whalebone, waxed braid, 84 x 41 x 7mm $1,600
Pendant, Te Ruru. Whalebone, waxed braid, 95 x 80 x 5mm $1,800
Pendant, Te Kārearea. Whalebone, waxed braid, 127 x 57 x 10mm $2,100
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