‘Coming Home’ is John-Herbert Wright’s 1st solo exhibit at PHL Center

The inaugural solo exhibition of John-Herbert Wright opens May 15 at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue. The exhibit runs until May 31.

The name of the show is “Coming Home” and will feature art from his “Rewind and Reflect” series as well as pieces from his  “When the Walls Come Down” series.

The art works selected from “Rewind & Reflect” delve into Wright’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 with his core family members as he was raised in a multicultural home in New York City.

“When The Walls Go Down“ is his newest collection. According to him, “This examines the meaning of 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. It is 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.

During the opening and closing nights performances, as well as charity auctions, will be held to celebrate his 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 10 small original art pieces  and the artist’s paintings on a Barong & Filipiniana, where a percentage of the proceeds will go to Filipino children under the   organization called Help and Opportunity in Poor Children’s Education Philippines Inc. or HOPE.

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 multicultural 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; he developed a Neo-Expressionist approach infused with surrealism, figurative and abstract renderings.

From the tender age of 8, 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.

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.