Barry Te Whatu

Barry was born in Taranaki and raised in a little northern town in Maungaturoto. Barry’s inspiration and passion for Māori Art and carving developed in the early 1990’s when he returned to Taranaki in his teenage years to study Fine Arts at Taranaki Polytechnic. Barry furthered his studies and graduated from Wellington Institute of Technology with a Bachelor in Visual Arts in 2006.

Barry has taken a journey of self identity through his exploration in carving and the journey is portrayed in his sculptures. Barry utilises both traditional and non-traditional materials and practices. Since 1994 Barry has represented his people in exhibitions and symposiums in New Zealand, Japan, United States of America and Austria. Barry expresses his love and passion for his culture and his people through his art.

Artist Statement 2009