Born in South Africa, Wayne Barker rose to prominence in the late 1980s during the height of political unrest under the Apartheid regime. Based in Johannesburg, he established himself as a versatile practitioner whose work reflects the complexities of the South African socio-political landscape.

Barker works across a wide range of mediums, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, video, performance, and installation. His practice is characterized by a willingness to experiment with form and collaborative processes, most notably his long-standing partnership with the Qubeka Beadwork Studio in Cape Town to produce intricate, large-scale glass beadworks.

His career has been marked by participation in numerous global biennales, international art fairs, and significant retrospective exhibitions. His work continues to be recognized for its thematic depth and its integration of traditional craft techniques with contemporary artistic expression.