Alvaro Barrington: Back Home / I Am... I Said

Featuring Tiffany Calver, Naima Nefertari and Friendly Pressure

Image: Alvaro Barrington

Following his recent exhibition at Tate Britain, Grace, Alvaro Barrington presents an exhibition in two chapters of new bodies of work at Sadie Coles HQ. This show marks the artist’s return to the exploration of traditional modernist painting – his primary medium of work. Back Home is composed of a series of paintings and works on paper, in which the artist depicts his impression of sunsets setting over the Caribbean Sea. Bringing together an array of art historical references, including J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851), Mark Rothko (1903-1970), Etel Adnan (1925-2021), Claude Monet (1840-1926), among others, these works come together in a simple installation along the perimeter of the gallery, which encourages slow looking and contemplation. The repetition of the sun setting over the sea creates a rhythm, which rhymes with the routine of everyday life and finds beauty in the mundane experiences and the surrounding environment. As such, these paintings reward the act of slow and focused looking, revealing new layers, details and moments with time. 

Earlier this year Barrington returned to Grenada – the place where he spent his childhood – for the first time since 1995. Reminded of the different modes of artistic and creative expressions, the architectural typology in the region as well as a continuous importance of music in his practice, the artist created an intimate sonic installation in a shack constructed from corrugated metal, wood and fabrics surrounded by a group of paintings. The shack is home to new soundscapes composed by the DJ and radio presenter Tiffany Calver, musical artist Naima Nefertari, and includes renditions of the song I am... I said, originally composed by Neil Diamond in 1971. The shack features custom-made speakers designed by Friendly Pressure and sculptural seating made by the artist with stone, rope, fabrics and plastic, which offer a place to sit and thus encourage visitors to slow down, listen to the music and then experience the paintings in a changed emotional state.

Sadie Coles HQ, Kingly Street, London

Closes 26th April '25

Free entry

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