Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Whātua

A graduate of Toihoukura with a Bachelor of Māori visual art, Ruānuku recipient 2021 Heremaia Barlow is a multi-media artist based in Gisborne. Originally a painter, he has developed skills in relief, whakairo, graphic design and mechanical engineering adapting with the new wave of available tools. It’s these skills coupled with a background in auto-refinishing that informs his current practice, incorporating his attention to detail and finish with traditional design systems. Never afraid of a challenge, he is always willing to push boundaries of what toi Māori can be.