Also an established carver, Barlow’s work has been displayed at various museums throughout New Zealand including Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland Museum To tatou Tamaki Makaurau, and Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa. Today his carvings are predominantly commissioned privately as family taonga, traditional treasures representing past ancestors designed to be passed down from generation to generation.
Having spent his childhood in Hutt Valley, Wellington, Barlow lived there until he was 29 before making his way across the Tasman, settling in Sydney. 20 years later, in 2024, the artist returned to New Zealand, bringing his art practice back to his homeland. He now lives and works in Marlborough. Barlow’s career to date has garnered impressive accolades, including becoming a finalist in the revered Wallace Art Awards in 2020. In 2018 he was named runner-up for the People’s Choice award at the Adam Portraiture Awards, and went on to place 3rd in the category in 2020. Barlow then gained a merit award as well as winning the People’s Choice award at the 2021 Parkin Drawing Prize for The Resurrection of Kahungunu. His work appears in collections in New Zealand, Australia, and further afield in Europe and North America.
Parnell Gallery has represented Gareth Barlow since 2021.
