>GOOD MUD explores the untold stories of the feminine, rooted in the chthonic, earthy realms
often overlooked in modern discourse. Barry’s figures, learned through rigorous study of
European art traditions, are bold, expressive, and deeply tied to the human experience—
particularly the feminine. These figures reject nihilistic trends in contemporary art and education,
embracing the vitality of ancient forms while confronting the complexity of modern life.
>At the core of this exhibition is Barry’s exploration of the female body—earthy, ancient, and powerful. As Camille Paglia writes in Sexual Personae, “The chthonic female is a force of
nature, her power savage, untamed. She is the dark mother of destruction and regeneration, the
force that swallows life and brings it forth again.” Barry’s figures, grounded in the weight of
gravity, embody this force. They are protectors, nurturers, and symbols of resilience, carrying the
weight of ancient wisdom.
w*men were a mistake