Exhibitions

AMANDA BARBARITO: WE JUST LET IT HAPPEN

The Emporium Center / 100 S. Gay St. April 7, 2023 - April 29, 2023

Amanda Barbarito

My work is a reaction to my experiences with people versus my experiences with animals. As a child growing up in rural West Tennessee, I was happiest when wandering through the forests and fields around my grandparents’ farm... In nature I found a world that made sense. I want my work to reflect that appreciation for the small things, the insects, and other under-appreciated critters. Curiosity and wonder are what inspire me to stack so many things into my work.

In Amanda Barbarito’s new exhibition, bright colors and an array of creatures make the work appear light and playful; upon closer inspection, one will find there is more to it. Barbarito wants her paintings to make people think about issues around the environment, and more recent pieces are reaching into social issues that plague our community. She approaches these topics in a way she hopes will lead to healthy discussions rather than creating feelings of hopelessness.