Craig "Skibs" Barker - Dot-Dash

I’m very excited to present this new series of paintings, Dot Dash. It is a slight departure from my previous body of work which featured anonymous women and anonymous legs. The impetus for this show came from two things that happened during the pandemic and the period after. During the initial pandemic wave, galleries had basically shut down and I had received a handful of requests for portrait commissions. These commissions re-invigorated my love of portrait painting. Alongside this, due to the Covid restrictions I had been working my graphic design day job from home. Since we then had more time at home, we took that opportunity to start remodeling our house. That led us to really looking at patterns in building and interior decor materials. Those two different, yet creative projects lead me to envision this similar but newish painting direction and these new works.

In this collection of paintings, I delve into the intricate relationship between youth culture and patterns. Specifically examining how some patterns inform and cross over generations and movements with extremely varied meanings given the context of their times. Over many transformative decades, patterns have played a crucial role in expressing the evolving identities, values, and aspirations of young people. For example, patterns like polka dots and checkerboards embodied the post-war optimism and burgeoning consumerism during the 1950’s. These designs symbolized a youthful exuberance and a desire for order and simplicity, reflecting the era’s focus on conformity and stability. These same patterns, during the 1980’s, took on an edgy quality with the rise of punk rock, new wave, and surf/skate culture. Checkerboards, polka dots and animal prints became visual symbols of youthful defiance and individuality, challenging the norms and conventions of previous decades. During the flower child era of the 60’s, graphic patterns underwent a transition with the rise of the hippie and mod movements. Floral patterns emerged as symbols of peace and natural beauty, while bold, graphic designs became hallmarks of the mod aesthetic. These patterns captured the era’s spirit of rebellion and the quest for personal and cultural liberation. Similar design trends continue to this day with the Deadhead, Boho-chic and Mid-Century Modern aesthetics.

In my personal style I have never shied away from patterns either. My wife (before she was my wife) and her friends used to call me “stripes on plaid guy”. These works invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences and memories, celebrating the power of patterns to connect us across generations and express our shared humanity.