Simon Barroo, a graphic and visual artist, sometimes walks on the streets with his eyes shut which induces a peaceful mind. His work, a dream, maybe a nightmare … an inspiring course of slowly going blind, a part of his syndrome. Two-way traffic.
Destruction becomes creation. Obstacles are a good start for new beginnings. His physical disability is a side issue while Simon doesn’t deny that his audience encounters the theme in his formerly work. You don’t have to know his story to experience his artwork.
Simon Barroo – n01-bis
His favorite materials include a fine brush and black Indian ink. Simon studied Illustration at Sint-Lucas, Ghent and currently he follows Free Graphics in Antwerp. He focuses namely on lithography. This year he discovers the numerous possibilities of screen printing.
Simon Barroo – uit een ‘serie’
Simon hunts up critic, a kind of pleasure chase that ends when the catch is made. Listening to what others would do, sends the artist into the other direction. The one of creating in solitude, by which he abstains from references and throws himself into the process of ‘me and doing something’. The ‘subject’ arises naturally.
He thinks out of the box, challenges his boundaries. He transcends his portfolio; designs installations and considers performances in the near future. The ‘blind corner‘ (installation ‘without title’ at Canvascollectie 2012) has been well received by the audience and art critics. The nice thing about this work is that it divides. There are proponents and opponents as like the long white cane splits the room.
Simon Barroo – zonder titel _ Blinde Hoek_Canvascollectie 2012
Sole Ostendaise is his most popular work of art. It stands for the people. The drawing is recaptured as the basis in a litho. Sole Ostendaise arised in the shadow of another piece. The creation is very surreal, absurd and it manifests itself associative.
Simon Barroo – Sole Ostendaise
(Abstract) expressionism, surrealism, dadaism, psychoanalysis inspire Simon Barroo. No wonder that the oeuvre of Marcel Duchamp, Louise Bourgeois and Gordon Matta Clark fascinates him.
His ‘work in progress’ is about archetypes. He looks for methods which he uses to create originals. He enlarges details which he prints silk-screen for example. He cuts the result into pieces to enlarge them again.
Simon Barroo – Nevermade
Current exhibitions:
Expo Prijs Frans Dille 2012-2013 → until April 7 @ Museum Plantin-Moretus Antwerp
Low Vision Great Challenge → from March 22 until June 18 – Centre for Low-Vision and Visual Rehabilitation @ UZ Ghent (free entrance during opening hours of the Centre + by appointment → contact Simon Barroo to settle an arrangement → send an e-mail to rc.oogziekten@uzgent.be or call +32 (0)485 64 83 89 → thank you )
More information on www.simonbarroo.be
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