ABOUT THE ARTIST      Sharon L. Barnes is an American painter and mixed media artist, a credited songwriter, and world traveler.  Her heritage includes African Americans and criolo Portuguese from the Cape Verdean Islands.  Her fine art has been shown in galleries and exhibitions across many major cities, and was featured on the set of the Jamie Foxx television show.  Images of her work have also been published in the International Review of African American Art and El Ruisenor, Especial Edicion de la Artes.  During a residency in the art colony at Taller Portobelo, Republic of Panama, she was given the sobriquet Paloma ("the Dove") by the local folk artists.  While in Panama, she collaborated with Imna Arroyo, Tosha Grantham and Torkwase Dyson to create an installation piece at the Arco Chato Exhibition, "Altares" in Panama City.  Taller Portobelo is a project of Spelman College professor and Fulbright scholar, Arturo Lindsay in conjunction with renown Panamanian photographer Sandra Eleta.

ARTIST STATEMENT      Elements that have defined my body of work are the conceptual use of the human figure and a diverse visual semiotics that has been fashioned by cultural and philosophical research and experiences.  It's been noted that my work often employs a dreamlike juxtaposition of images and a bending of time.  These elements are explained by my interest in metaphysics -- if not my sheer joy at being able to create an entire world on the surface of a blank white canvas.

Current work continues my engrained appreciation for painterly aethetics, melded with my interest in social, political and spiritual commentary.  I also find myself newly interested themes of multi-culturalism and the impact of urbanization upon the human spirit.   And finally, but not least, my years as a jazz and R&B songwriter are ever present in my work.  I am a lyricist at heart.  Art tells all our fragile human stories and there is always a story to be sung.