About
Working across drawing, sculpture, film, installation and painting, Barnaby uses familiar iconography such as the humble Apple, to subvert the telling of ancient cautionary tales within a contemporary context. Whilst a witty cultural critique characterised his early porcelain figurines, his more recent sculptures, drawings and digital paintings construct layered narratives through repetition and accumulation.
In Barford’s Word Drawings, abstract pictures are made by writing the same word over and over again. By incessantly repeating words such as Hope, Glory, Truth and Love, Barford asks us to reevaluate their meaning in today’s complex socio-cultural environment.
Although Barford produces work in a wide variety of materials, he consistently returns to ceramics. Utilising his knowledge of ceramic manufacturing processes he is able to further explore accumulation, repetition and deviation to create monumental artworks such as The Tower of Babel (V&A 2015) and unique artworks such as The Seven Deadly Sins mirrors from thousands of industrially produced pieces.
Whether using shops, apples, flowers or words, throughout his work, Barnaby holds up a mirror to society, prompting us to look again and reflect upon inequalities, obsessions and systems of belief.
Barford (b.1977) has been represented by David Gill Gallery, London since 2004. He has exhibited internationally with major solo shows across Europe and the US, including a survey show at MOCA Virginia (2013). He has received many prestigious commissions including Louis Vuitton, a film for Channel4 and a permanent public artwork in North East London. In 2016 Barford was awarded the Hospital Club’s h.Club 100 Award for Art, Design and Craft which celebrates the most influential and innovative people in the creative industries. His work is part of many public and private collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, the Museum of Fine Art, Houston, Texas, and the National Libraries of France and the Netherlands.
