COMING HOME
John – Herbert Wright
Solo Exhibition
May 15 – 31, 2024
We are pleased to announce the inaugural solo exhibition of John-Herbert Wright at the Philippine Center, New York, NY. The exhibition runs from May 15th through May 31st 2024. The name of the show is “Coming Home” and will feature pieces from his “Rewind and Reflect” series as well as pieces from his “When the Walls Come Down” series.
The pieces selected from “Rewind & Reflect” delve into John’s personal relationship with his American father and Filipino mother as a child, as well as his connection to his grandmother. John also explores his close relationship to his core family members as he was raised in a multicultural home in New York City.
“When The Walls Go Down“ is John’s newest collection. This offers a deep dive into the meaning of the relationships we cultivate with our community, our one-on-one relationships, and our higher power once we let go of what blocks us from these connections. John examines the unmasking of our inner self, allowing us to be transparently seen and heard, and the deep connections that arise from elevating ourselves to such a level. This collection also deals with his childhood memories of frequenting the Philippines as a youth, and the lasting effects the country had on him, well into manhood.
John’s exhibition plans to bridge the gap of his American side and Filipino side through a unique New York perspective. Along with this collection of work, which will highlight core values such as family, community, and God, the work displayed will examine the very close relationships we cultivate as we navigate our emotions and evolve as human beings.
During the opening and closing nights certain performances, as well as charity auctions, will be held in order to celebrate Wright’s Filipino heritage. The traditional dance excerpts from Southern Philippines, Martial Arts demonstration of Eskrima/Kali, and live singing performances can be enjoyed. There will be a silent auction of ten small original art pieces (separate works from the “Rewind and Reflect” series or the “When the Walls come Down” series) where a percentage of the proceeds will go to the poor Filipino children under the H.O.P.E organization.
Bio
John-Herbert Wright (1983 – )
John-Herbert was born in Miami and moved to New York city when he was 3 years old. As the son of a Filipino mother and a bi-racial father, his multi-cultural roots at first felt like a challenge, but with time, and especially through his creative explorations, he would create his own unique world. This would immerse into his work, containing multiple points of views. Inspirations from Basquiat to Van Gogh, Monet to Dali and Matisse; John-Herbert developed a Neo-Expressionist approach infused with surrealism, figurative, and abstract renderings.
From the tender age of eight, Wright gravitated to painting as an escape expressing a rich inner world. His work heavily relies upon dark figurations amongst an urban landscape leaving the viewer space to navigate the world he creates. An analogy of the human condition; centering the female nude/mother and child as the protagonist, he tells the story of the broken seeking respite, the downcast, the other. Wright seeks to illuminate the universe of darkness within all of us, within himself, and that darkness contrasted with fragility has always been at the epicenter of his work.
Wright has managed to create a niche for himself as a painter and street-wear designer, contributing to the role the graphic t-shirt played in disseminating New York street culture across the globe. Transferring the techniques of garment making onto his canvases, Wright’s paintings feature backdrops of multiple layers of silk-screened images, drawings and text. He has also expanded his avenues of expression, creating installations and even multi-sensory exhibitions, building even more detailed spaces to travel with him through.
Although his success has been celebrated, in many ways till recently, Wright has also kept his own story on fade. This changed last year with his highly lauded solo show “Rewind & Reflect” (at the Blue Gallery, NYC) which brought the many words and worlds of John-Herbert together and since, he has made sure his roots and his art not only light his inner self but make all of us feel more seen.
Exhibition Details –
Solo Exhibition
May 15th- May 31st 2024
Philippine Center , 556 fifth Ave, New York, NY 10036
Viewing hours 9am- 5pm daily