Discover the captivating universe of Álvaro Barrio through "Aunque usted no lo crea, 2010. Figurative Works on Paper". An artist of great versatility, Barrio masterfully blends surrealist, conceptual, and pop compositions in his paintings. Renowned for his illustrative prowess, he seamlessly integrates comic elements into his work, creating a unique visual narrative. As Barrio himself expresses, “all contemporary art has left its mark on his pictorial universe,” making his collection an essential experience for contemporary art enthusiasts.
This vibrant artwork presents a striking parody of pop culture and art history. Dominating the scene is a muscular, mustachioed figure in swim trunks and a construction helmet, reminiscent of both heroic comic book characters and labor themes. In his hand, he holds Marcel Duchamp's iconic "Fountain," an audacious juxtaposition that humorously critiques and celebrates art's avant-garde provocations. Surrounding him are three glamorous women in vintage swimsuits, evoking 1950s pin-up aesthetics. The beach setting is painted in bold, flat colors characteristic of comic strips, while seagulls and swimmers animate the seascape. Erró integrates textual narration, adding a layer of storytelling and commentary. The artwork cleverly blends elements of surrealism, pop art, and social satire, challenging viewers to reconsider notions of masculinity, art, and consumer culture. The piece masterfully intertwines visual language and cultural references, inviting contemplation and amusemen
Aunque usted no lo crea, 2010. Figurative Works on Paper
Álvaro Barrios
Aunque usted no lo crea, 2010
Watercolor on paper
Dimensions:
Image size: 33 H cm. x 20 W cm.
Frame size: 38 H x 50 W x 5 D. cm.
Unique
Framed
Born on October 27 in Barranquilla, Colombia. From a young age he showed great interest in drawing, making his first drawing at the age of 4: the logo of a local newspaper, before learning to read or write.
Comic strips were always present in his childhood, his mother bound them and collected them for him.
He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Barranquilla and architecture at the University of the Atlantic. Later he took courses in Art History in Perugia and at the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice. He has worked as an art professor at several universities.
In 1965 he held his first individual exhibition at the Casa de Don Benito Gallery, in the old center of Cartagena after an exhibition by the artist Edgar Negret, who was one of the first artists to be interested in the work of a young Álvaro Barrios. The following year he exhibited "Drawings, collages and comics" at the gallery of the School of Fine Arts.
He has participated in the following international exhibitions: VII Paris Biennial (1971); IX Tokyo Biennial (1974); XIII Sao Paulo Biennial (1975). He received the Gold Medal of the IX Tokyo Biennial (1974); the Prize of the first Latin American Triennial of Engraving, Buenos Aires (1979), and the Luis Caballero Prize, Santafé Gallery, Bogotá (1998).
In 2001 he won the Latin American Prize for Painting and Mixed Media of the first Buenos Aires Biennial, Argentina with his series “The Fifty Paths of Life.”
