Barry Sharplin, born and raised in New Zealand, studied at the Ilam School of Fine Arts in Christchurch. From there he traveled extensively to various countries, participating in art and meditation retreats. He helped found the “Sphere Group”- the Wangapeka Educational Trust, a charitable organization devoted to the unfolding of all beings, located on a beautiful 144-acre property next to a national park in New Zealand. He was one of seven artists from different fields in an Arts Council program in Manchester, England in the early 1980’s. He was Visual Director for the Tauranga Theater Company in New Zealand, where he designed and made sets for plays, in the late 80‘s. He moved to the USA in 1992. After ten years in Taos, New Mexico, he and wife Cleo, whom he had met in New Zealand, relocated to Frenchtown, New Jersey, where they run Alchemy, a gallery that carries the work of dozens of artists. Barry has mastered many art mediums, and is able to blend meditation techniques with artistic techniques. He has worked in multi-media art for over thirty years, he has been an Art Teacher for the Wangapeka Educational Trust, the Bay of Plenty Community College, and the Beacon Arts Center, where he established many creativity and technique programs in schools, community centers, and in residential retreats. Currently he is an art teacher at Spring Run School in Flemington, NJ, USA which is devoted to special need and disadvantaged children.
He continues to explore the interrelationships between 'creative flow' and the 'Dharma path of awakening' for the benefit of all beings. The intrinsic nature of Mandala painting, archetypes, and the universality of sacred geometry, are for him, contemplations inseparable from creating artwork of beauty and profound symbolism. He believes that art can transform our lives and not merely mirror a societies negatives. Barry believes creating art is a universal birthright, which naturally draws upon one’s intuitive wisdom.
Barry is currently teaching and painting interpretations of Tibetan Dieties which are meditational tools for connecting with radiant being (primary archetypes).
Born: N.Z. 6th April 1952
Exhibitions:
| 1969 |
Paintings, Winter Gallery, Hastings NZ |
| 1970 |
Block Reproductions & Drawings, Winter Gallery, Hastings NZ |
| 1972 |
3D Paintings & Sculpture, C.S.A. Gallery, Christchurch NZ |
| 1973 |
Drawings & Paintings, Winter Gallery, Hastings NZ |
| 1974 |
Impasto Relief Works, C.S.A. Gallery, Christchurch NZ |
| 1977 |
Block Reproductions: “Four Seasons”, Chez Elco, Nelson, NZ |
| 1983 |
( Group): Paintings: “Off the Edge Gallery”, Auckland |
| 1984 |
“Voyage to Arcturus”, R.K.S. Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand. |
| 1986 |
“Faces - Mask, Symmetry and Myth”, R.K.S. Gallery, Auckland, NZ |
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“Faces - Mask, Symmetry and Myth”, Lady Bowen Hotel, Thames, NZ |
| 1987 |
Paintings & Chalks: “Light Seen, Baycourt, Tauranga,NZ |
| 1988 |
Collected Works: “Retrospective”, Baycourt, Tauranga,NZ : |
| 1991 |
“Meeting Places”, A/K Gallery. Oils on canvas. Pastels on paper. Auckland, NZ |
| 1992 |
Co-create Alchemy Artwear: New Mexico - www.alchemyclothing.com |
| 1996 |
Alter Works Gallery, Taos, NM. |
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Paintings and Alchemy - First State Bank, Taos,NM |
| 1997 |
Oil paintings, Untitled Gallery, Taos, NM |
| 1999 |
“Visions of the New Millennium”, Bareiss Gallery, Taos, NM |
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“Strange Visitors”, Stables Gallery, TAA Taos. NM |
| 2000 |
Represented by Sirius Art Gallery, The Historic Village, Santa Fe. NM |
| 2001 |
Represented by Chalk Farm Gallery, London, UK
August: Group show, Taos Chamber of Commerce
August: Mural backdrop for E.C.O. Battle of the Bands
October: Taos Invites Taos Invitational Exhibition
November: Group show, Taos Chamber of Commerce |
| 2002-2007 |
Work shown at Alchemy in Frenchtown, NJ USA |
Education, Study & Travel
| 1969 - 71 |
N.Z. Ilam Art School, Christchurch, with support of Ngaitahu Trust Board. |
| 1974 - 78 |
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Center: wide range of studies. NZ |
| 1975 |
Travel to South East Asia, Malasia, Thailand,Burma, Borneo, Papua New Guinea, Australia |
| 1979 |
“Unfolding through Art” Course With Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche, in South America. Art and Meditation Book produced from this intensive retreat which focused on the relationship of art, creativity, and meditation. |
| 1979 - 82 |
Community Arts Workshop, Arts Council of Great Britain. Travel and work in Europe. |
| 1984 |
Meditation Retreat (3 months) with Namgyal Rinpoche, Europe to New Zealand |
| 1992 |
Travel to New Mexico, USA, and set up residence. |
Teaching Art Courses
| 1974 - 78 |
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Center; Teaching art in Nelson & Tapawera School and the Nelson Community Education Service. |
| 1985 |
Art Courses Tapawera Area School, including school mural project
Art & Creative Imagination Seminars and Creative Workshops, Westcoast.
Nelson Polytechnic Teaching and Thames Society of Arts. |
| 1985 - 87 |
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Center: Summer School tutor including:
Art & Archetype, Feb. 1985
Active Imagination & Art, Feb. 1986
Experiencing Wholeness Through Art, Jan 1987 |
| 1988 - 90 |
Part-time Tutor, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Tauranga, including:
Graphic Art LINK Program and Creative Art night classes. Also involved in establishing an Arts Facility at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic for the community in different fields of art expression.
Exploration of Printmaking on paper and fabric, including the establishment of photostensil silk-screening facilities at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
Community art courses at Hillier Rehabilitation Centre, Mount Maunganui & the Beacon Arts & Education Center, Tauranga. |
| 1990 |
Tutor in Mask-making and Set Design for ACCESS Performing Arts Program, Tauranga.
Invitation to join and have a studio at the BEACON ARTS & EDUCATION CENTRE, Tauranga (a Community Arts Center run cooperatively providing classes & workshops for children and adults in a variety of creative & artistic fields) – as a self-employed Artist based at the Beacon. |
| 1991 - 92 |
Teach two consecutive, residential summer art courses at Wangapka Educational Center. Unfolding Through Art. |
| 1992 |
(travel to) USA residence |
| 1994 |
Travel/Teach Summer Art Course, Wangapeka Educational Center, NZ. |
| 1995 |
Weekend intro. Unfolding through Art Course, Taos.NM
Travel/Teach Summer Art Course, Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty, NZ. |
| 1996 |
Travel/Teach Summer Art Course, Wangapeka Retreat Center, NZ. |
| 1999-2000 |
Taos, teaching art with private students. |
| 2001 |
Community Teaching with E.C.O. (Evolving Creative Opportunities), and Taos High School Art Club. |
| 2003 |
Community Teaching with River Union Stage, Frenchtown, NJ |
| 2004-07 |
Art Teacher for Spring Run School, Flemington, NJ USA |
| 2003-07 |
Private courses in Frenchtown Art Studio for children and adults. |
Public Artwork
| 1974 - 77 |
Mandala Puppet Theatre, MAGIC shows, Christchurch & Nelson. |
| 1977 |
Dame Ngaio Marsh Theatre SET DESIGNER: “Dance Spiral”, Christchurch, with Sally Shore and the Maggie Burke Dancers. Fundraiser for Exhibition: “N.Z. Artists” to raise building funds for Wangapeka. |
| 1978 |
Kinetikos Dance Company POSTER DESIGN, Perth, Australia. |
| 1979 |
Began “Voyage to Arcturus” Series, England |
| 1980 - 82 |
Employed as Community Artist for the Arts Council of Great Britain on Multi Media Projects & Murals For Greater Manchester - working in community clubs, centers, schools. |
| 1983 |
Returned to Auckland, N.Z. pilot Community Arts program, Point Chevalier with Auckland company; “Artworks”, working in 5 schools & community.
Dramadillo posters and “Lunar Lights” Theatre Arts Production. |
| 1983 - 84 |
Cover Paintings for 3 editions of “Computer Reviews” Magazine. |
| 1984 |
Completed “Voyage to Arcturus” Series.
Winner Special Painting Award, Macmillon Foundation Hamilton, NZ. |
| 1985 |
Book cover & illustrations for “Growth and Unfolding”, by K. Tarchin. |
| 1986 |
Setup and run Pilot program in Printmaking with young people, Graphics & Set Design, Thames Operatic Society. |
| 1985 - 87 |
Mural for Waimea Intermediate School, Arts Council Grant
Murals for Thames High School & Council, NZ
Mural for “Ablecane” (retail shop), Waihi, NZ.
Community Mural, “Bodyline”, Papamoa. |
| 1988 - 89 |
Children’s Art programs and Magic Shows - public & private.
National poster Graphic artwork and four posters dealing with Men’s issues for “Reach Out”, F.V.P.C.C., & Tauranga Community Arts Council. |
| 1988 - 90 |
Creative Designer for Plenty Drama’s Community Theatre Production, Baycourt, Tauranga, “The Hobbit”. |
| 1989 |
Cover design & artwork for Action Publications-sports magazine, Tauranga. |
| 1991 |
Artistic Director (Sets, lighting, costumes) for Plenty Dramas Community production, Bay Court, Tauranga, “Midsummer Nights Dream”. |
| March 1992 |
Travel to live in U.S.A. |
U.S.A. Residence (since 1992)
| 1992-2002 |
Design and development of Alchemy Creative Clothing’s exquisite line of original clothing for women, www.alchemyclothing.com |
| 1994 |
Create sets for Karen Thibedeau Theater in Taos. |
| 1995 |
Elegant Dragon Mural painted on Alchemy’s walls in Embudo, NM. |
| 1999 |
Award Winner of the first SILVERHAWK Fine Art Competition, Taos. |
| 2000 |
Oils and Acrylics featured at the Sirius Art Gallery, 227 don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM. Sharon Fay-Scanlon – owner. |
| 2001 |
Represented by Chalk Farm Gallery, London, UK
August: Group show, Taos Chamber of Commerce
August: Mural backdrop for E.C.O. Battle of the Bands
September: Studio uprooted, move to Pennsylvania to establish new Alchemy boutique in Frenchtown, NJ
New series of paintings and writing active in new location
October: Taos Invites Taos Invitational Exhibition
November: Group show, Taos Chamber of Commerce |
| 2002 |
Exhibits at Alchemy, Frenchtown, NJ |
| 2003-2004 |
New Series of Landscape and Skyscape Paintings |
| 2004 |
Mural for Sujet family, Pittstown, NJ. See gallery. |
| 2004 |
Commission: "Jaffa" for Mohnblatt family, Germany. See gallery.
"F.F. Manny Thing & Me" Illustrations. Childrens book written by Keith Strunk. See gallery. |
| 2004-present |
Art Teacher, private art courses for adults and children . See current offerings. |
| 2005-present |
Art Teacher, Center for Educational Advancement, Spring Run School, Flemington, NJ |
| 2006 |
Illustrations for Cusparian symbols with Karl Eaves. See gallery. |
| 2007-2008 |
"Four Seasons" Mural (Sujet-Hunterdon County). See gallery. |
| 2008 |
1st place Frenchtown Wine and Arts Festival Art Exhibit. |
| 2008 |
Alchemy Summer Art Camps. See camp information. |
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News Stories:
Writer, Artist join to create kids' book
Sunday Star Ledger
June 26, 2005
Summer Theater Camp
Delaware Valley News
August 12, 2004
River Mule Returns to Frenchtown
Delaware Valley News
July 1, 2004
Frenchtown Visitors Mull Colorful Mules
Delaware Valley News
Beauty Is No Burden For This Beast
Hunterdon County Democrat
June 26, 2003
Mules Carry Cancer Victim's Memory
Hunterdon Courier News
June 14, 2003
Don't Be Stubborn. Sponsor A Mule!
Delaware Valley News
Frenchtown Has A Pair of Mules To Show Their Colors
Bucks County Herald
June 5, 2003
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