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Featured Muralist: Noé Barnett — Furniture Awarehouse
The following is the eighth in an eight-part series on the artists who are painting the seven murals throughout Putnam County as part of the Putnam County Mural Festival. The festival will culminate with a celebration in Greencastle this Saturday, Sept. 21.
Next up is Noé Barnett, who is painting a mural at Furniture Awarehouse, 804 N. Jackson St., Greencastle.
Noé Barnett, a muralist and painter, infuses the streets with life through his vibrant creations. A native of Albuquerque, N.M., Barnett’s roots have shaped his approach to art. With a burgeoning reputation as a key player in the mural scene, Barnett has transformed public spaces into canvases in multiple states, bringing art directly to the people. His murals are more than mere decoration; they are dialogues in color and form, engaging communities and using light to invigorate public spaces with new narratives.
As Barnett transitions into the fine art arena, he carries with him the same ethos that has defined his street work: Art as a catalyst for reflection and discourse. His fine art pieces delve into the light, using it as both a subject and a medium to harness it and turn it into paintings that influence. All while maintaining the accessibility and boldness that characterize his larger outdoor works.
Q: Why did you want to create a mural in Putnam County?
A: When I came across the opportunity I was intrigued because of the ties I have to Indiana. I have painted walls across the country and have yet to paint in the place where my dad and his family are from. I grew up going to Indy during the summers and having the opportunity to paint and bring something to life in this community was an opportunity I wanted to apply for
Q: What excites you about the specific location of your mural?
A: The wall is beautiful! It’s a great canvas with tons of visibility from the road so hopefully we can bring some light to the space.
Q: How do you hope people will engage with your art?
A: That’s not usually a thought that I have. I often wonder if it is a worthy use of energy to think about others’ perception of the work. I know what it means to me, but it’s art, and everyone has the potential to have a unique and special reaction to the work. I paint flowers and fruit, with strong light sources to highlight the relationship between light and life and will continue to push that relationship in my work.
Q: How did you get into mural creation? How long have you been doing it?
A: Someone asked me to paint a mural to help out a local non-profit. I did it and never stopped painting walls almost 6 years ago.
Q: What inspires your art?
A: My art is inspired by light and life! Light is the source of everything we have and live off of as humans, both physical and metaphysical. Light brings life, and my art aims to highlight this relationship but illustrating flowers and fruit, which use light as fuel throughout photosynthesis to bring us both beauty and sustenance.
Q: What’s your next project?
A: I have a few walls down in El Paso, Texas, next and then some projects back home in Albuquerque, N.M.