Steven Barich

Artist Statement:

In my art practice, I am interested in visualizing the middle-point between the natural and digital worlds—a type of muge, a state of liberation from duality, a reconciliation of opposites…what could even be considered a 'loving embrace' of opposites. I make images and objects that show nature and technology's in/direct effect on the human condition, a musing on how an artwork manipulates vision, how we see or don't see the image/object itself…or how an artwork is looking back at us. Figuration, abstracted and digital forms, narrative and anthropomorphization have been reliable tools through which I can address these subjects.

The most recent series depicts visual patterns, codes and text born of our contemporary digital age set within and among forms appreciated for either their naturalistic authenticity, their spiritual references or aesthetic purity. The work itself ranges from abstraction to anonymous silhouettes, both small-size and on a grander scale, often as pixel-mosaic-filled stone forms, and in addition wall sculpture incorporating geometric patterns, symbols and coded writing from both analog or virtual sources.

Steven Barich (1975) grew up in East Oakland, California on a mix of punk rock, hip-hop and visual art. He received a MFA from Mills College (2001) and a BFA from the California College of the Arts (1997). Barich lived for four years in the Netherlands, which he considers a unique post-graduate education/perspective unattainable in America. Exhibitions include solo shows at Rowan Morrison Gallery (USA) and The Compound Gallery (USA), as well as group shows at Southern Exposure (USA), The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (USA), the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen (NL), TENT Center for Contemporary Art (NL) and Curators without Borders (D).

He currently lives, works and invests in the art community, in Oakland, CA.