The Homebodies series explores the personal spaces of community members, the artworks and interesting objects they’ve collected through the years, and how those pieces live with them every day. For the next few posts, we are asking members of our gallery committee for a tour. This round brought you by local artist Ruby Barrientos, who also has their exhibition, LOS REZOS DE LA REVOLUCIÓN, on view in our offsite gallery at Cafe Capello through August 2020!

1. Hanging on this wall are some of my favorite pieces in my collection, but my most prized piece is a portrait of my father, painted by my Uncle. A beautifully painted oil portrait that serves as a memento and reminder that he is still here with me.  

2. This is the altar where I keep all my favorite keepsakes as offerings to my ancestors and friends who have moved on into the afterlife. The small ceramic face hanging above the painting is a piece I purchased by a local artisan in El Salvador on my last visit outside of the Tazumal Ruins. The painting below is acrylic on wood, a rendering of a lake in El Salvador painted by close friend who passed. It reminds me to stay connected to my roots. 

3. This wall has a numerous array of pieces by local artists as well as one by an artist based out of Berlin, Esther Samuels-Davis. It’s difficult to pick a favorite, but the one that I enjoy the most is the portrait of an eerie somber face painted by local artist Nick Noyes. 

4. Along my staircase lies a beloved red ballpoint pen portrait of a small child created by the brilliant Orlando Oh, it has a poem written all around the portrait. I can’t help but stop and appreciate it when walking up and down my staircase. 

5. This piece is an expressive combination of movement and color depicting the essence of Cumbia. Painted live by local artist Leslie at an event where I DJ’d Cumbia music. 

6. A souvenir gifted to me by a friend; it is the Maya God of Cacao. Looking at this piece always ignites me to connect to my Mayan culture. 

7. The pieces I enjoy to look at the most on this wall are by local artist Raymond Stewart who expresses himself with a lot of color and movement. I find it to be a mix of abstract impressionism and impasto. You can also find a small Nathaniel Benjamin print hidden above my bookcase that sparks me to scour my books.

I really enjoy my collection, it brightens up my space and takes me back to the experiences I’ve had from my beginnings as a collector to now. It indulges me with special memories of the artists who created them and where I was in my life at the time I acquired them. Being emerged with so much art in my space only ignites me to create more.