Alvaro Barrington (b. 1983, Caracas) was born to Grenadian and Haitian parents and raised between the Caribbean and New York; and since graduating has spent time living between New York and London. Informed by his personal experience, Barrington’s practice explores interconnected histories of cultural production. His ‘GARVEY’ series examines the cultural exchanges of early 20th century London and the Harlem Renaissance – both sites of large-scale migration from the Caribbean at the height of Modernism – and their ongoing influence on artistic output and notions of self-hood, sexuality, the soul, identity, nurture and community. Considering himself primarily a painter, Barrington’s multimedia approach to image-making employs burlap, textiles, postcards and clothing, exploring how materials themselves can function as visual tools while referencing their personal, political and commercial histories.
