SCHLOMER HAUS GALLERY PRESENTS DEVYNN BARNES’S
RENAISSANCE OF RECLAMATION
January 12, 2024 - February 24, 2024 Schlomer Haus Gallery
2128 Market Street | San Francisco, CA 94114 415.275.0960 | info@schlomerhaus.com Tues - Sat | 12pm - 6pm
Appointments Available Upon Request
Opening Reception
Friday, January 12, 2024 5pm - 8pm
San Francisco, CA (January 3, 2024) - Schlomer Haus Gallery is pleased to present the debut solo show Renaissance of Reclamation by emerging artist Devynn Barnes. This exhibition highlights the historically silenced and disparate existence of Black and Brown Queer and Cowfolk. Despite a lack of documentation or discussion, Barnes brings to light the significance of Black and Brown folks in these historically unwelcoming spaces.
Having begun her creative career in film and photography, Barnes’ self-taught painting is cinematic, infused with undeniable emotion. Working primarily in oil on canvas, and incorporating acrylic, wood, pastel, and flashe elements, the paintings, inspired by or based on photographs, take on a life of their own, lending an added sense of realism. The results are complex and layered.
The intention of the exhibition is to create space for the seemingly disparate narratives of melanated Queer and Cowfolk to co-exist in reclaiming admittance to our interconnected archives. Their respective histories have been both quieted and excavated to ghost author culture for mainstream consumption. In her work, Barnes delivers a prideful and powerful representation of their deep history, and an intense passion to preserve it.
As Barnes explains, “The Cowfolk are disparate, but also quite silenced. Their influence is woven into the culture by way of fashion, entertainment, and music—The Renaissance album is a great example—but the goal is to provide a time capsule to honor their space in a way that it hasn’t been honored. The work shines a light on the Cowfolk as an ode to those that came before.”
The opening night reception will also feature a short film by Barnes that ties together footage of both Black and Brown Queers and Cowfolk, providing ambient context for these two narratives. Nostalgic and timeless, Barnes’ film plays within and outside of gender norms, giving special attention to the fluidity of Black and Brown Queer spaces.
Renaissance of Reclamation opens January 12, 2024 and will be on view at Schlomer Haus Gallery through February 24, 2024.
About Devynn Barnes
Devynn Barnes is an interdisciplinary artist, new Black renaissance archivist and visual emoter. Based in Oakland, Devynn draws deep passion and inspiration from her people and the rich tapestry of nostalgic moments. With reverence for timeless authenticity, she embarks on a journey of visually memorializing the ethereal nature of folx of color, celebrating their magnificent simplicity of being.
As a queer Black artist, they navigate the delicate balance between documenting and challenging societal norms, and shedding light on the intricacies of marginalized experiences. Through their art, they seek to uncover untold stories, illuminating the unspoken truths that reside within the archives of the past.
By melding documentation with artistic expression, they invite viewers to confront their own narratives, encouraging a collective awakening and communal (melanated) homecoming.
About Schlomer Haus Gallery
Schlomer Haus Gallery, located in San Francisco, is deeply committed to providing a platform for next-gen and mid-career queer artists. The gallery’s objective is to amplify diverse voices and perspectives through the compelling works of underrepresented and emerging artists. SHG is dedicated to nurturing and promoting the vibrant creativity of these artists, fostering a space where their voices can resonate and inspire.
SHG has exhibited works by Clifford Prince King, Zackary Drucker, Matt Lipps, Chloe Sherman, Kostis Fokas, Jun Yang, Colin J. Radcliffe and Kevin Sabo.
