Beyond the White Cube: Sylvia Barrero’s «The Power to Feel»

As the global art elite descends upon Miami for Art Basel, the air buzzes with talk of the «next big thing.» In recent years, this conversation has often been dominated by the ethereal and the digital—NFTs, AI-generated landscapes, and conceptual installations that challenge the very definition of ownership. But amidst the high-gloss spectacle and the screen-based revolution, a quiet but strong counter-narrative has also emerged, slowly but steadily returning to its roots and could be said to be stronger than a 90s trend…the return of the physical, the visceral, and the form of humanisation.  

Watch the Video: The Power to Feel  

Enter Sylvia Barrero, a Colombian artist who is stripping away the layers of mediation between artist and canvas. Her latest collection, «The Power to Feel,» launching exclusively on Elisium Art, arrives as a timely meditation on presence. In today’s digital world and its increasing trends that are usually defined by pixels, filters, emulation, and lack of individuality and distance, Barrero came up with something impeccable, where she offers us a radical art created not with brushes, spatulas, or styluses, but with the artist’s own hands. It is a testament to the belief that, to understand life truly, we must feel it deeply.  

The Philosophy of Touch: Finger Painting as Meditation  

The touch of Philosophy: Sylvia Barrero decides to share something distinctive, extremely intimate, and personal through her art, and her decision to paint with her fingers is not just a stylistic approach but a choice rooted in emotional necessity. The series’ genesis lies in a profoundly emotional moment where words were insufficient, and paint became a way to breathe again. This vulnerability is palpable in every piece. By removing the brush—the traditional tool of the master—she removes the distance between her internal landscape and the physical world.  

Her hands become «instruments of translation,» recording the nuances of human touch: the pressure of the skin, the warmth of the palm, the softness of movement. This technique allows for organic forms to emerge naturally. Trees, birds, gardens, and vast colour-scapes appear not as rigid depictions of reality, but as felt experiences that echo the rhythms of the natural world.  

Barrero describes this process as a form of «emotional reforestation.» Just as we seek to re-green our planet, these paintings seek to «reforest the walls» not only of our homes but also of our souls. They restore a sense of rootedness and vitality that is often lost in the frenetic pace of modern life.  

The visual result is a vibrant ecosystem where colour plays the protagonist. In Barrero’s work, colour is not an aesthetic choice; it is energy—expansive, alive, that brings back the bright, pleasing colours. Barrero’s work is a testament to the fact that, where the world can be seen opting for light shades and pastel colours, her work is the epitome of how vital the actual bright colours are and essential. Layer by layer, the canvases burst into life, offering a sensory experience that invites the viewer to pause and breathe. It is a practice of presence—a meditation in motion—where mastery is not about technical perfection but about decades of creating, observing, and trusting intuition.  

A Quiet Wisdom Amidst the Art Basel Roar  

The timing of this collection’s release during the Art Basel Miami season is intentional and poignant. The fair is renowned for its energy, its parties, and its focus on the avant-garde. It is a place where the art world shouts. In contrast, «The Power to Feel» whispers.  

While the white cubes of Miami Beach display the latest trends, Barrero’s work offers the quiet wisdom of nature, and its bright colours speak to its essence, the properties it carries, and the meaning it holds for the world we live in today. It reminds us that art does not always need to shock or disrupt; sometimes, its highest purpose is to reconnect, please our eyes, calm our minds and leave us joyous. These paintings «never hurry, and they never run out,» standing as a counterbalance to the «fear of missing out» that often drives the contemporary art market.  

For collectors, whether they are navigating the crowded aisles of the convention centre or curating their spaces from afar, this collection offers a moment of respite. It aligns with the growing global movement towards «Slow Art» and wellness design—the idea that the objects we surround ourselves with should nourish our well-being. Barrero’s work transforms a simple painting into a bridge between souls, a reminder of what truly moves us.  

A Canvas of Latin American Heritage  

Sylvia Barrero’s work is deeply rooted in her origins. Based in Colombia, her palette is infused with the diversity of Latin American landscapes. From the lush density of the Amazon to the vibrant light of the Caribbean coast, her work captures the essence of a region where nature is not something separate from humanity, but an integral part of existence.  

Through Elisium Art, Barrero brings this distinct perspective to a global stage. Her work represents the immense, often untapped talent found in emerging art markets. It challenges the Western-centric view of abstract art by injecting it with the warmth, rhythm, and colour inherent to her heritage. «The Power to Feel» is emblematic of art that is authentic, deeply personal, and culturally resonant—art that doesn’t just decorate a room, but inhabits it.  

An Invitation to Feel  

In a digital age where we swipe more than we touch, Sylvia Barrero’s new series is a radical act with a message so deeply rooted, and a realisation of how precious nature is and how we always lack the will to admire it. It offers a reminder that to create—and to live—we must feel with our whole hands, our whole body, our whole being. Barrero’s work is a reminder that art is not meant just to show off your wealth in creative ways, but to experience and feel it with your whole being, to understand its depth and its true essential meaning.  

We invite you to step away from the noise and immerse yourself in this intimate dialogue with nature. Experience the energy, the colour, and the raw emotion of «The Power to Feel.»  

Exclusive Holiday Offer:  

To celebrate the launch of this collection during the Art Basel season, we are offering our community an exclusive benefit. Use the code SYLVIA10 at checkout to receive a 10% discount on any original artwork from this series or across the Elisium Art platform.  

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