GRACE. Alvaro Barrington at Tate Britain
Tate Britain unveils GRACE, a major commission by Alvaro Barrington. This installation combines sound, painting, and sculpture in the grand Duveen Galleries. Barrington’s work takes visitors on a personal journey. It highlights the influence of women and Black culture on his life and art. The installation centers on three key figures: his grandmother Frederica, his friend Samantha, and his mother Emelda. Structured in three acts, it draws from Barrington’s Caribbean carnival experiences and his upbringing in Grenada and New York.
Visitors enter the galleries under a suspended corrugated steel roof. This roof simulates shelter from a tropical rainstorm, echoing Barrington’s childhood in Grenada. The sound of rain mixes with a curated soundtrack. The soundtrack includes contributions from Femi Adeyemi, Kelman Duran, Andrew Hale, Devonté Hynes, Olukemi Lijadu, and Mangrove Steelband. Under the roof, rattan and plastic seats with braided elements and plastic quilts, featuring Teresa Farrell’s artworks, create intimate spaces.
In the gallery’s center stands a four-meter-high aluminum sculpture of a dancing figure. Inspired by Barrington’s friend Samantha, the figure stands on a steel drum. It wears jewelry by L’ENCHANTEUR, a costume by Jawara Alleyne, and nails by Mica Hendricks. Paintings depicting carnival scenes hang from scaffolding, forming a vibrant streetscape. This section references ‘J’ouvert’, a Caribbean tradition where participants celebrate with paint, mud, and oil at dawn.
The final section is in the North Duveen gallery. Light streams through a stained-glass window onto a kiosk sculpture. The kiosk resembles an American prison cell. It has moving shutters and is surrounded by barriers with barbed wire, symbolizing mass incarceration. Church pews with plastic quilts and pillowcases featuring Barrington’s drawings face this scene. This part reflects on Black mothers’ experiences in New York, highlighting their love and fear for their children amid systemic violence.
Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain, praises Barrington’s work. He highlights Barrington’s skill in transforming personal history into immersive experiences. He looks forward to visitors’ reactions to this powerful artwork.
Alvaro Barrington, born in Venezuela in 1983, grew up in the Caribbean and Brooklyn. He studied at Hunter College in New York and the Slade School of Fine Art in London. His work is part of public collections, including Tate and the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami.
https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/alvaro-barrington