ABOUT THE ARTIST      Sharon L. Barnes is an American painter, a credited songwriter, and world traveler.  Her heritage includes African Americans and creole Portuguese from the Cape Verdean Islands.  Her work in oils, mixed media and site installation 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. 

ARTIST STATEMENT      Elements that have reoccurred in my body of work are the use of the human figure, whether expressively or conceptually, and a visual semiotics that has been developed over the years from personal, cultural and spiritual references.  I am inspired by the work of many contemporary realists and mixed media artists, by the socio-political surrealism of Latin American art, by urban street muralists, and by many writers, poets, musicians and philosophers.