Toki Rākau

Wiremu Barriball is a Māori visual artist and musician born in 1974 in the close-knit township of Ōtaki, Aotearoa. Proud of his whakapapa, he is a descendant of Te Ātiawa on his father’s side, Ngāti Raukawa and Te Rarawa on his mother’s side. Wiremu is a renowned Tāmoko artist, having begun his journey in 1994. His Horowhenua-based studio now attracts an increasing international clientele. He has a background in graphic design and illustration, with published works featured in educational resources throughout Aotearoa. As a musician, Wiremu was a former lead guitarist for the internationally acclaimed NZ reggae sensation, Katchafire, touring throughout the globe and supporting many top Aotearoa Reggae acts. Wiremu remains deeply passionate about his art and music. He enjoys whānau time at home or is in his art space, experimenting and utilising his Tāmoko skills to design engraved works on mediums such as shell, wood, stone and leather.