Check Out Barbarian’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbarian.

Hello Barbarian, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Barbarian initially began as a group of friends who got together to screen-print t-shirts. We had known each other since high school, taking the same art classes. It wasn’t till we got to Watkins College of Art that we began playing with the idea of creating a brand, but not just any brand.

We wanted to stand out by screen printing conceptual pieces and blurring the lines between streetwear and gallery art. Printing our logo on the front felt too common and expected – hence why we always printed the logo on the back. We explored our curiosity for four years. Through showcasing a few pop-up shops, our eyes were opened to how we could explore t-shirts, paintings, posters, sculptures, prints, and more.

One of the pop-up shops was at the WAG gallery. It happened in February of 2020 – a night we will never forget. It showed us the power of community. But as you know something big happened in 2020. Due to the pandemic, like the rest of the world, we took a break. It was too complicated and unsafe for in-person shows. After nearly two years, we decided to start up again, but differently.

Sustainability and up-cycling are both things that are important to us. Instead of buying wholesale t-shirts or brand new canvases and paper, we thrift them. This process is a lot slower but we create one of the one-pieces – which you can find on our website. This year, we will be showcasing at the Zeitgeist Gallery, which we are currently working towards.

It opens on the first Saturday of the month of August – and we’re very excited.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No road is ever smooth. There will always be potholes along the way that make you question if your tires have popped. Because Barbarian is a collective, there were moments when we got in our own way and stepped on each other’s toes.

We were taking it too seriously and forgot why we even started in the first place. We loved what we did in the business before it was a business. With the logistics of running a company and the pressures of building a social media presence, you can forget to enjoy the process.

The only way we’ve truly learned has been through experience and failure. We only ask ourselves to show up, otherwise, fear and doubt win. We have gotten a lot better because we have chosen to pause, listen, and acknowledge this journey of learning is a marathon.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in up-cycled t-shirts, but we’ve extended that process to include our paintings and prints recently. The things we’re most proud of are the pop-up shops.

They take a lot of time and effort to piece together. It’s a space where people interact with the community, feel the vibrations, see the work, and smell the room.

Although we care about our online presence, pop-up shops will always be the best way to experience and showcase our work.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
A lot of our process is very DIY. There’s a lot of thrifting, altering, sewing, and screen printing. We are proud of up-cycling clothing because although it is a small action, we are saving a few shirts from ending up in a landfill.

Helping heal the planet. Actions speak louder than words when it comes to topics like global warming and climate change. We care about our planet and want to do our part. It’s important for us to create art without adding more waste.

Buying our material through second-hand and thrift stores makes the process of creating much more exciting because of its limitations. It doesn’t hinder our creativity, it actually allows it to flourish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barbarian.studio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarian.studio/