John-Herbert Wright

Bio: 

John-Herbert was born in Miami and moved to New York city when he was 3 years old. As the son of a Filipno mother and 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.

John-Herbert’s work has been featured at numerous city galleries and pop-ups across the country. This selection features select curated pieces from the “Rewind & Reflect” collection, Art Basel Miami, Windmill Gallery, NY, and the Hamptons Fine Art Fair.

EXHIBITIONS:

2023:

Affordable Art Fair, Mazlish Gallery, NYC
Hamptons Fine Art Fair, Mazlish Gallery, Southampton, NY
Aqua Art Fair, Mazlish Gallery, Miami Beach, Fla
Group show, Windmill Art Gallery, Watermill NY
Group show, DOM, NYC
Group show, Blue Gallery, NYC

2022:

Affordable Art Fair w/Mazlish Gallery, NYC
Blue Gallery, New York, NY: “ Rewind and Reflect”
Solo Exhibition Mazlish Gallery Online: Featured on Artsy

Blue Gallery, New York, NY: “Now You See” group show (also Co-Curator)
Van Der Plas Gallery, New York, NY: “All Art Plus” 
Rich Ramsays Gallery, Brooklyn, New York: Group show
Blue Gallery, New York, NY: “See Me Foundation” group show (also Co-Curator)
YEMA Soho, New York, NY: “the Shape of Color “ Solo show
Art Garage, New York, NY: Group show
All street Gallery, New York, NY : “Prints” group show

2021:

Blue Gallery, New York, NY: “Polychromatic” group show (also Co-Curator)
Da Spot, Brooklyn, NY: “Dear Summer Vibes “ group show
Van Der Plas Gallery, New York, NY : “All Art Plus” group show
Mazlish Gallery, Online: Featured on Artsy and First Dibs
GUERRILLA Art Shows, New York, NY: Group Show

Commissions:

Mother Duck, New York, NY: Interior Mirror Installation/mural Birria Les, New York, NY: Interior mural and installation District Sporting Lounge, Queens, New York: Interior mural BAYAAL, Brooklyn, NY : “ In store solo installation

Creative Work Experience:

Askan NYC, New York, NY (Creative Director/Co-Owner) 2017-present
Street wear retail boutique in Lower East Side. Duties include concept creation, manufacturing, lead creative artist, merchandiser, in-store visual curator and wholesale manger
Artist and Fleas Booth, New York, NY (Co-Owner) 2021-present
Street wear booth at Chelsea Market. Creative developer, lead artist

Articles:

Philippine Daily Mirror, 2022

https://www.philippinedailymirror.com/filam-john-herbert-wrights- perspective-in-canvas-rewind-reflect/

Education:

Fiorello H. La Guardia High School For Performing Arts, 2001