Carlos Barrios

Fairfield City Museum and Gallery
Histories, Memories, Other Territories| 7 July - 19 August 2007

At about six years of age I discovered some pots of paint and brushes in my father’s workshop. As I moved the paint around with the brushes through my imagination I could see many things, I allowed my hand to follow and trace them.

My father was a collector of art and artefacts; I would stare into them and find myself transported to other dimensions, times and spaces. From those moments until now, many years have brought new experiences, adventures, travels, people and places. Some moments are filled to overflowing with inspiration and others empty, devoid of sensation. The best moments are those in connection with a pencil or a brush dancing over a piece of paper or canvas.

Memorias, Padre and Abuela make a triptych-installation, which tell stories of my family. The pictures painted by coffee bring back precious characters, refresh original colours and evoke senses – the memories of my past, the relation with my family and appreciation of the land.

The death masks brings the element of mystery and the honest destiny of all of us. My art is about joy and sharing, learning and evolving.