Brooklyn-based artist Gustavo Barroso unveils his inaugural solo exhibition “Nothing to See Here” at KidSuper Gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This debut also marks KidSuper Gallery’s inaugural showcase. The exhibition immerses the viewer into two contrasting realms that Barroso routinely grapples with imagination and reality.
The show features 11 new pieces, including three chairs, two sculptures, and six paintings from Barroso’s ‘Purpose Paintings series, reflecting the tension between imagination and reality. The imaginative works, highlighted by pieces like the ‘Carrots Chaise’ and ‘Sad Chair’, celebrate the influence of pop culture and Barroso’s personal experiences on his subconscious, offering a fresh take on radical design.
In stark contrast, pieces representing Barroso’s reality, such as ‘Last Week’s Laundry (II)’ and ‘Fast Food & Coffee’, showcase mundane and often neglected aspects of daily life through hyperbolic scenes constructed from found objects or refuse, encapsulated in matted cement.
The ‘Purpose Paintings’ adorning the walls depict all-green oil paintings on wood, inviting viewers to exercise their imagination against the monotony of the reality before them. Overall, “Nothing to See Here” encapsulates the inherent contradictions and tensions that exist within us, juxtaposing possibility with boundaries, confidence with doubt, and wonder with responsibility.
Photos by Aaron Maldonado