Name: Joshua Carlos Barrera
Age: 22
Pronouns: He/Him
𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟?
I love going on adventures – usually to either big bustling cities or getaway destinations like beaches. It’s a personal necessity to always bring a sketchbook during my travels. Aside from art-making I am very much interested in the curatorial and managerial side of art, which is why visiting museums, galleries, and fairs is must when I to places.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐭?
I am primarily inspired by fantastical things. I find these in video games that I love to play such as Pokémon, Final Fantasy, and Street Fighter. Likewise, I read myths and legends from around the world, and have always been fascinated by otherworldly beings and imaginative landscapes. Other things that inspire my art are art history, fashion design, nature, and pop culture.
𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞?
It is a unity of fragments: a hybridity of pointillism, cubism, and an interpretation of Philippine ethnic patterns. I consider my style a bridge between the past and the present – perhaps a take on indigenous futurism. Instead of outlines, the forms and shapes in my paintings and illustrations are separated by negative space – creating puzzle-like, ornamental, yet unified images.
In creating my works, I use various inks from alcohol ink to India ink. I am fond of using vibrant hues to make my works ‘pop’ – reflecting my playful outlook.
𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭?
My life has been surrounded by creativity. I grew up in a family of architects, designers, painters, and writers. I often witnessed fashion shows, visited art museums and exhibitions, and frequented heritage sites. By my mid-teens I wanted to become a part the arts scene, and shortly after began building my portfolio by drawing things that peaked my interest.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐭?
Instagram: @jcvbarrera
Behance : be.net/joshuabarrera
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