Gareth Barlow
Song of the Twice Born
Charcoal & acrylic on paper
1055 x 760 mm
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‘Song of the Twice Born’ is a poignant and engaging new work from Gareth Barlow’s ‘Aranga’ series. ‘Aranga’, the title of Barlow’s forthcoming series, in te reo means to rise to the surface, to appear. This captivating work on paper is created in acrylic and both traditional charcoal, and charcoal from the burnt taonga that has inspired the piece.
Barlow explains, the original tekoteko (a carved, human-like figure crafted to represent ancient tribal ancestors), created in respect for eminent Māori leader Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki by contemporary carver and good friend Kapene Alexander, was tragically burnt in a fire earlier this year.
Instead of disintegrating into ashes, the artist has used the ashes to produce an artwork and like the taonga itself, gives new life – twice born.
Artist Bio
Gareth Barlow is a contemporary New Zealand artist living in Marlborough.
Working primarily in acrylic and charcoal, Barlow creates large-scale paintings and portraits distinguished by their atmospheric quality and symbolic imagery. Native birds, portraiture, and narratives of connection are recurring elements throughout his practice, reflecting an ongoing interest in identity, belonging, ancestry, and the relationships between people, place, and the natural world. His works often explore states of attentiveness and exchange, inviting reflection on how presence, memory, and story shape human experience.
Alongside his painting practice, Barlow has spent many years engaging with the histories, stories, and artistic traditions of Aotearoa. His work reflects a sustained interest in narrative systems and ways of understanding the world, including Māori pūrākau and his own Celtic heritage, approached as distinct but intersecting cultural frameworks.