Chasing the Dream
Finding your niche is never a straight line—just ask BARC. Born and raised in Jersey City, this creative spent his early years bouncing between the raw energy of New York City and the vivid worlds spinning in his mind. The art bug bit him early, with memories of sketching his own Dragon Ball Z characters on the school bus, all while the glow of Cartoon Network classics like Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Lab fed his visual obsession. These childhood inspirations evolved into a mind of his own—a world of wild colors, quirky creatures, and adventures that BARC breathes into existence through every medium he can get his hands on.
But before BARC was creating art to take over the world, he spent years in the corporate grind—an Art Director by day and a secret comic book artist by night. From designing for big names like Volkswagen and Snoop Lion to the occasional late-night sketch session hidden in the corner office with a view of Central Park, BARC realized he was working for the man, while dreaming of building his own world. Fed up with the hollow, manipulative world of advertising, he did what any determined artist would do: quit the corporate life, pocketed his savings, and jumped headfirst into the unpredictable, raw world of making art on his own terms.
Attitude Towards The Game
In 2023, BARC went all-in for a group show at Secret Fresh, where he unveiled his 6×6 foot painting, Wish Master 3, part of his “Machines I Wish Existed” series. The piece, featuring Dr. BARC testing a demon-to-genie machine in a mystical lab, was sent to the Philippines—and BARC followed a few months later. While there, he met Distort Monsters and Egg Fiasco, who introduced him to Manila’s underground art scene. This was a pivotal moment in BARC’s life. Experiencing a completely different art scene for the first time shifted his perspective on the art world. Not long after, Distort Monsters offered him a solo show at Forcefield Artspace and before he knew it, BARC packed up, sold his belongings, and moved to Manila to make his mark—driven by his unshakeable belief in himself and his commitment to putting in maximum effort to change the trajectory of his life.
Now, based in Manila, BARC is crafting a universe that’s as mischievous as it is colorful. With each piece he creates, he’s slowly—and surely—brainwashing the world into loving BARC. But this isn’t about fame or fortune; it’s about freedom. Freedom from the system. Freedom to create. And, of course, freedom to keep telling the never-ending story of the Dog in BARC.
Following The Fun
BARC’s art style is centered around world-building, blending the playful energy of contemporary cartoons with the complexity of classical art. Drawing inspiration from childhood favorites like Samurai Jack and the surreal works of Hieronymus Bosch and Francisco Goya, his creations strike a balance between fun and depth. His current works explore ancient belief systems and ritualistic practices, inspired by his recent reconnection to his roots.
“I have an urge to create an ancient history and populate the world with creatures from the BARC World.”
Talking about his process, he admits that it’s always changing. Back then, he wanted everything to be precise or “clean,” which actually sounds like the right thing to do when you’re starting out. But now, he’s slowly letting go of that urge to create such refined work and instead leaning into making art that transfers a feeling—a process he calls “following the fun,” which is clearly shown in his work.
10 Years Of BARC
In 2025, BARC will celebrate a decade of existence. Over the years, BARC has evolved but remains a part of the artist’s soul—a mischievous, nonchalant demon representing immortality. His lore has grown through various adventures, like the story where he gains regenerative powers from a power crystal. BARC continues to embark on different adventures, gaining new abilities and roles. Whether on the streets or in galleries, the artist’s goal is the same: to tell the never-ending story of BARC and the world he inhabits.
A Sniff of the Manila Art Scene
Every art scene is unique, largely because of the artists that shape it. When asked about the Manila art scene, BARC shares that it reminds him of the 90s and early 00s—an era when he first discovered street art, graffiti, illustration, and character-based art. Because of this, he feels like an almost perfect fit within this scene. Inspired and welcomed by his now contemporaries like Egg Fiasco, Distort Monsters, Quiccs, Jade Suayan, Chill, Garapata, Bjorn Calleja, Roger Mond, Mac Emparwa, Dime, Selah, Raer Bear, Blic, Mimaw, Sean Daanton, Jem Diaz, Chase, Mong, Enyo, Fine, Dawg, Crank, Cool, and many more, BARC cites these names as a constant source of motivation, pushing him to create more meaningful work for the local community.
Now BARC is staying busy with several exciting projects lined up. He recently completed a duo show with Distort Monsters, “Forgotten Myths,” at Space Encounters Gallery. Next, he’s gearing up for a clothing release with RVCA in mid-April, followed by another duo show with Roger Mond, “Volcano Island,” at Forcefield Art Space on June 22nd. In October, he will open his solo exhibition, “Monsters of Manila,” at Secret Fresh Gallery. Between these shows, BARC works on commissions, curates events at Hideaway HQ and Forcefield Art Space, and is planning a group show in Tokyo in 2026. With a packed schedule ahead, BARC is excited about his future in Manila and proud to represent the Philippines on the global stage.
Whether he’s painting murals, prepping for exhibitions, or riding motorcycles across Asia, BARC is living the dream—and his art reflects that same untamed energy.
Make sure to follow CLAVEL on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for news, culture, and more.
