Interview
Brian Barrer
Breaking down the meaning of images and assembling new contexts is the basis for Brian’s work. Since the early 1990’s, he has used mixed media and photographic assemblage to express an ever evolving imagination. These often take the form of vibrant aesthetic experiences that fuse playful abstractions with the intensified realism of captured images. Artwork begins as a singular process with the object of connecting with others. The removal of collective barriers and the dismantling of our perceptions allow expressions from within to find this commonality. While the end result of his work offers discourse and a large degree of interpretive latitude, his hope is to share with the viewer a sense of creative connection and imaginative exploration. The creative process for Brian’s work often begins with visions of space, balance, and colour. Readily identifiable ideas provide the opportunity for story to be expressed often culminating in reinvented and dramatic resolution.
The use of objects in a new conceptual context then offers the viewer a chance to explore their own imagination and creativity. The compositions of Brian’s pieces are usually finalized when the manipulated scene provides enough insight to evoke feelings of dislocated familiarity. He endeavors to achieve some level of fragmented fluency in most of his work. What forms our perception confirms our realities and from within the imagination our realities become limitless. A consistent theme expressed throughout this series is the limitless nature of our imagination and the sometimes difficult task it has of making sense of the new we wish it to reliably seek out. The vivacity and starkness realizes a long held truism of the human psyche; that all aesthetic beauty is free, yet shrouded in meaning that may never fully realize itself. In this series, the freedom of our imagination is only restricted by our world, but the further it moves beyond the familiar the more difficult it is to find meaning. It is Brian’s hope that this series offers consolidation to this demanding problem while at the same time serving to perpetuate it. Just as we find answers to questions, so to should we continue to ask more.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always been inclined to art from a very young age. It started out hap hardly. Mostly through observation and inquiry, the odd art course here and there.”
What inspires you?
“Mainly things inspire me, looking at other art, visiting art galleries, my dreams, architecture, design, fashion, my surroundings, political climate, life and life lessons, my dreams. I tend to look at things differently and see things other people just glance over.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“At any given time there will be multiple themes going through my mind. My sketch book ideas which I then expand on. My photography. Some of my work has a quirky sense of humour in it. When you look at it and you go “ah ha!” The connection or underlying message the viewer gets! Some of it can be dark.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work would best be described as surrealistic, realistic and manufactured.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Too many to mention! I am very fond of several artist and can appreciate abstract art to high realism. Mostly Canadian artists. I never truly understood the appeal of certain artist as I had only viewed their artwork in history art books until I actually visited the works of art in the major galleries in major cities. Once you’re actually standing in front of the work you realize the power it has to move you.”
“I tend to look at things differently and see things other people just glance over.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process can be a love hate thing at times. Well thought out with painstaking hours only to scrap something. Or flashes of inspiration that seem to only take what seams like a brief moment to actually complete. When I am creating, I will loose track of time and compelled to keep work as long as possible. The life of an artist is a very solitude endeavor.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The artist role is to challenge the viewer either by provoking a negative or positive reaction. The role of an artist is always evolving depending on what is happening in the world.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My recent solo shows include: “Resurrection” Double Door Studio; Gallery Anten Mills ON (2019) and my recent group exhibitions include: Martello Alley Gallery June/August Kingston ON (2020) and A Leap of Faith be contemporary gallery, Stroud ON (2020). My work is in collections including: Molson Coors, Toronto ON; TM Design, London England; MacLaren Art Centre Permanent Collection, Barrie ON; Polaroid Canada Corporate Collection, Toronto ON and Gallery Paquin, Kapuskasing ON.”
Instagram: @brian_barrer_artist_
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