Gareth Barlow – Intimate Echos

We are pleased to invite you to join Gareth Barlow at the opening reception of his 2026 show

INTIMATE ECHOS

GARETH BARLOW

Thursday 12th November 5-7pm

Birds have always been part of my practice, and in this series, Connection Songs, they stand as symbols of identity, guardianship, and memory. Across traditions, birds are seen as messengers, kaitiaki in Māori legends, guardians and omens in Celtic lore. They are always close by, wherever we go, in the places that matter most to us, a feathered companion is never far away.

Here, I paint and draw these birds on a large scale, bringing forward their subtle details and complexities. Their natural forms reflect Māori art, the symbols and traditions I fell in love with as a child. By exploring them closely, I seek an approach to art that feels uniquely of Aotearoa, bridging cultures and celebrating shared identity.
Long before humans arrived, birds were the guardians of these islands. Some species have been lost, but many remain—adapting, enduring, and sharing their world with us. They remind us of what we can hold in common: respect for the past, reverence for the present, and hope for the future.

In this series, my use of the dot veil shifts. Where it usually blankets the entire work, with birds it thins and radiates outward, as if carrying their song, their spirit, their energy. This suggests their ease in moving between the seen and unseen, between our world and the spiritual realm.

Proud to be a Wellingtonian born in the Hutt Valley, I ground my work in reverence for Aotearoa’s natural world and cultural identity. My practice honours both Māori traditions and my own heritage, weaving together memories, philosophies, and the shared stories that shape who we are as a people, together.

artwork available to purchase prior to the opening