Armory Art Center presents ‘Life or Something Like It’

Miami-based artist and solo exhibitor at the Armory Art Center, Hermes Berrío, stands in front of one of his pieces of art. [Photo by the Armory Art Center]

The Armory Art Center’s latest solo exhibition, “Life or Something Like It,” featuring the works of Colombian-born, Miami-based artist Hermes Berrío, is free and on view through May 9.

Occupying all three galleries of the historic West Palm Beach art center, “Life or Something Like It” offers an expansive and immersive journey through Berrío’s large-scale paintings and mixed-media works. With a style that fuses bold color, texture and symbolism, Berrío blurs the lines between memory and imagination, challenging viewers to reconsider how we construct identity in an ever-shifting cultural landscape.

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“In my paintings, personal memories intertwine with dreams, creating layered compositions that reflect both intimate experiences and broader social themes,” Berrío says in his artist statement. “By repurposing materials, I challenge notions of value and permanence, emphasizing reinvention as a means of survival.”

Berrío’s work is rooted in cultural storytelling, pulling inspiration from social media, street culture and the rich symbolism of his Colombian heritage. He often incorporates acrylics, aerosol, textiles and gold leaf to portray life as a constantly evolving narrative — sometimes fragmented, sometimes exaggerated but always pulsing with energy.

The exhibition title speaks to the dualities and contradictions of everyday life. By transforming seemingly mundane moments into monumental visual experiences, Berrío highlights the power of memory and the possibilities of reinvention. His artistic vision encourages audiences to explore how identity, history and environment shape our sense of self.

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“This is a deeply personal yet universally resonant exhibition,” says Jill Brown, the CEO of the Armory Art Center. “Hermes Berrío’s work invites us to pause and reflect on our own stories and how they are continually shaped by the world around us.”

Berrío has exhibited across the United States, Latin America, Europe and Australia. He is also known for public murals throughout Miami. His commitment to art is as personal as it is professional: In 2021, he famously biked from Miami to West Palm Beach to attend his sister María Berrío’s exhibition at the Norton Museum of Art.

To celebrate the launch of the exhibition, the Armory Art Center will host an opening reception Thursday, April 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Additionally, Berrío will lead a “Walk and Talk” gallery tour and Q&A session Thursday, April 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Both events are free.

The Armory Art Center is at 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach. For more information, visit www.armoryart.org.