Reen Barrera’s artistic journey, deeply rooted in his childhood experiences in the Philippines, unveils a poignant exploration of emotion and societal dynamics in his ongoing series of Ohala characters. Reminiscent of the imaginative figures he crafted from repurposed fabric and wood during his “toy-deprived” youth, Barrera’s creations now embody a complex narrative, resonating with a blend of personal sentiment and broader reflections on class and social identity. Adorned in an intricate collage of symbols and patterns, the Ohala figures serve as silent communicators, reflecting the artist’s belief in the expressive power of nonverbal cues. With a profound attention to detail and a striking mix of mixed media techniques, Barrera’s work not only conveys a tale of individual resilience but also invites contemplation on the innate human ability to shape one’s destiny. As his solo exhibition, Children of Divorce, in collaboration with Thinkspace Projects, continues to captivate audiences at the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum until January 15, 2023, Barrera’s evocative pieces serve as a testament to the enduring influence of personal history on artistic expression.
#emotions
#fabric
#mixed media
#paint
#Reen Barrera
#sculpture
#wood
September 16, 2022
Grace Ebert
All images © Reen Barrera, shared with permission
Growing up in the Phillipines in the 90’s, Reen Barrera would often repurpose scraps of fabric and wood into imaginative figures that became central to his play. The constructions were stand-ins for what the Filipino artist considers a “toy-deprived” childhood, and today, Barrera continues the visual language of those early sculptures in his recurring Ohala characters.
Often dressed in stripes and animalistic patchwork hoods, the wildly expressive figures are covered in a chaotic mishmash of symbols and patterns. Barrera likens these markings to the idiom “it’s written all over your face,” a concept that, similar to his earlier figures, continues to ground his practice. “Regardless of what we say, our true feelings can still be emancipated by our facial expressions,” the artist says. “For me, it’s a silent way of communicating something without noise.”
Barrera pairs this concern with fleeting emotion and more personal experience with larger themes about class and social standing. While some of the wooden figures are rich with colorful fabrics and splotches of acrylic, oil, and aerosol paints, others are more minimal. “One thing that I want to emphasize is the amount of detail each Ohlala artwork has. Like humans, some have little while some have more,” he shares, explaining further:
Some people are born rich, some are born middle class, some are born poor. But the common ground for everyone is, we all have to deal with it… I cover all the Ohlala dolls heads with canvas cloth to give a freedom to paint their own symbols on their heads, as if they are designing their own fate. I guess that’s what we all have in common; the power to make things happen for ourselves.
In a collaboration with Thinkspace Projects, Barrera’s solo show Children of Divorce is on view through January 15, 2023, at Mesa Contemporary Art Museum. For more of the artist’s works, visit his site and Instagram.
#emotions
#fabric
#mixed media
#paint
#Reen Barrera
#sculpture
#wood
Reen Barrera’s compelling body of work, inspired by his childhood experiences and imbued with intricate layers of symbolism and emotion, serves as a powerful testament to the interplay between personal history and artistic expression. Through his recurring Ohala characters, Barrera intricately weaves a narrative that transcends mere visual appeal, delving into the complexities of social identity and individual resilience. The artist’s deft use of mixed media techniques and meticulous attention to detail not only breathe life into each piece but also prompt contemplation on the universal human experience of navigating one’s fate in the face of societal constructs. As his solo exhibition, Children of Divorce continues to captivate audiences at the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum until January 15, 2023, Barrera’s evocative sculptures stand as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of art to communicate profound, introspective narratives that resonate with audiences on a deeply personal level.