Born in London, Irene Barberis has exhibited her work since the mid-1970s and expanded internationally from the early 1980s. She actively works as an artist, curator, and academic.
International Projects and Academic Career
Barberis creates, curates, and leads projects, exhibitions, and platforms worldwide. Her work spans Europe, the UK, the USA, the Middle East, and the Far East. Furthermore, she integrates intimate intercultural dialogues within the international university system. For two decades, she held tenure at RMIT University in Melbourne while also working extensively in Hong Kong.
Metasenta®: An Arts Research Hub
In 2006, Barberis founded Metasenta®, a dynamic international arts research hub that connects universities, artists, and the global arts community. This platform fosters “safe spaces” for arts dialogue and exhibitions in diverse forms around the world.
Artistic Practice and Major Works
Barberis creates provocative, high-chroma paintings and installations using cutting-edge materials. Her practice spans painting, installation, new media, performative drawing, and spatial kinesthetics. She combines minimal and conceptual systems with organic, poetic structures to convey painting and drawing as a continuously evolving process.
She completed major commissions and built a strong presence in public and private collections worldwide. Moreover, she consistently pushes artistic boundaries through her research on ideas, faith, and female and global drawing. Her doctorate explored abstract and figurative Apocalypse imagery throughout history.
Recent Projects: Art Meets Science
Her latest major projects fuse art and science. For instance, The Tapestry of Light measures 36 by 3.2 meters and depicts the Apocalypse. It stands as the only known full-cycle tapestry of the Apocalypse by a female artist. Barberis collaborated with scientist David E. Mainwaring, who invented a nanoparticle phosphorescent pigment embedded into the fibres. This innovation allows layers of imagery to appear at different times.
She applies this same technology in The LeWitt Tapestries, which are slated to debut at the 60th Venice Biennale alongside The Tapestry of Light.
The LeWitt/Barberis Project
This project explores the 35-year friendship between Sol LeWitt and Barberis, beginning in 1974. She investigates LeWitt’s influence on her work and thinking by studying each of his three studios in the USA and Italy. This research fuels ongoing solo exhibitions.
Additionally, Barberis curates international group shows featuring artists influenced by LeWitt. She documents these exhibitions in a two-volume publication, catalogues, and Metasenta® small books.
Representation
Irene Barberis is represented by West End Art Space and Langford120 as an associated artist.