You don’t do it for the man, men never notice. You do it for yourself, you're the fucking coldest is Alvaro Barrington’s first solo exhibition in France. Shown across all four floors of our Paris Marais gallery, Barrington’s new paintings reflect the cross-pollination of many influences, among which fashion, music and art history play a primary role. In addition to paintings incorporating yarn, for which he is best known, Barrington introduces a new series of multi-layered works on carpet framed with concrete. His approach to painting remains essentially inclusive – embracing non-traditional materials and techniques – and infused with references to his personal and cultural history, as well as our current state of isolation.

Born in Venezuela to Grenadian and Haitian migrant workers, Barrington was raised between the Caribbean and Brooklyn, New York, before moving to London where he is currently living. Combining references to street culture, traditional craft techniques and the history of modernism, his art conveys the breadth of his varied life experience and influences. The title of the exhibition is taken from a song by Canadian rapper Drake, demonstrating the centrality of popular music as a constant source of inspiration in his practice.