Reen Barrera, Yes, Can Do!
Dates｜ August 5 (Sat) to 26 (Sat), 2023
Venue｜ √K Contemporary
Organizer｜ √K Contemporary
Co-Operation｜Vinyl on Vinyl
√K Contemporary (Root K Contemporary) is proud to host Yes, Can Do!, Reen Barrera’s inaugural solo exhibition in Japan. On view from August 5 (Sat) to 26 (Sat), the exhibition will showcase a comprehensive range of Barrera’s works; from the artist’s universally beloved Ohlala and Duge paintings and wooden sculptures to his kinetic automata wooden sculptures and experimental abstract works. Further highlights include an artist-led gallery tour, which will be held on the first day of the exhibition.
The internationally celebrated artist has held solo exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout the Asian and American continent, and Barrera has recently collaborated with Phillipine’s largest provider of mobile money services, GCash, on an Ohlala NFT Collection. Gaining great traction over recent years, the artist has amassed a great following of international collectors as a leading emerging artist.
Barrera’s works are compassionate at heart. Perceptive and benevolent, these works are, both, a work of soft social critique and a letter of hope for future generations. Having grown up a “toy-deprived” child, Barrera would use found objects to make his own toys to play with. In retrospection, these innocent acts would subsequently bear fruit to the creativity and imagination sublimated in his current work. Inspired by the artist’s very own childhood experiences, one driving appeal behind Barrera’s works is their reflection of the artist’s conviction to create his own destiny, overcome socio-economic barriers and leave his mark behind.
【Artist Statement】
The “Yes, Can Do!” mindset refers to a positive and proactive attitude where individuals believe in their abilities to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. It’s about being confident, resourceful, and willing to take on tasks or responsibilities without being deterred by obstacles or difficulties. This mindset is particularly relevant when discussing the socio-economic status of children.
Encouraging the ” Yes, Can Do!” mindset helps them develop resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Reen Barrera
【Introducing Ohlala ＆ Duge】
Much of Barrera’s works feature his characters, Ohlala and Duge. A visual inference of the phrase, “It’s written all over your face”, Ohlala’s faces are vibrantly rendered in a mixture of patterns and painterly gestures. Often adorned in various types of hoods made from canvas cloths. By providing these characters the freedom to render their own symbols on their hoods, the artist alludes to the notion of how one can, both, design and be the author of their own fate- regardless of their economic standing. Duge, another character who frequents Barrera’s works, refers to the word ‘dog’ when pronounced in Visayan, an indigenous Filipino language. A tribute to the accent of the language his family used to speak, the character is an ode to the artist’s roots.
Left to Right (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 61 x 61cm
Events | Reen Barrera Gallery Tour
A gallery tour led by Barrera will be held on the opening day of the exhibition, August 5 (Sat).
For those who wish to attend, please feel free to join us during any of the times below. No reservations are required.
| Reen Barrera Gallery Tour |
Saturday, August 5 (Sat) from 3 pm / from 5 pm / from 6:30 pm
*Approx. 30 minutes per tour
【Time Change Announcement】
The times have been amended for Reen Barrera’s August 5 gallery tour, which will take place at 5 pm and 6:30 pm. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and ask for your understanding.
IMAGES
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Hold My Hand (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 152 × 240cm
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Off The Bat (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 121.9 × 121.9cm
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At All Cost (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 76.2 × 76.2cm
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Into The Deep (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 91.4 ×60.9cm
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Places (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 76.2 × 76.2cm
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Failure (2023) Acrylic on canvas, 60.9 × 50.8cm
ARTISTS
Reen Barrera was born in Paris, France, and raised in the Philippines. As a child, the artist would repair church sculptures and began collecting excess wood scraps to make toys. Barrera would subsequently begin to collect various found materials, such as cardboard and paper, to create his own toys and figurines. This experience would later prove crucial to his later artistic career. His works often reference childhood memories, vernacular phrases, and streetscapes and are characterized by their charming, “outsider art” aesthetic. In recent years, the artist has presented his works at solo and group exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia.
Reen Barrera was born in Paris, France, and raised in the Philippines. As a child, the artist would repair church sculptures and began collecting excess wood scraps to make toys. Barrera would subsequently begin to collect various found materials, such as cardboard and paper, to create his own toys and figurines. This experience would later prove crucial to his later artistic career. His works often reference childhood memories, vernacular phrases, and streetscapes and are characterized by their charming, “outsider art” aesthetic. In recent years, the artist has presented his works at solo and group exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia.
