María Berrío at Frieze New York: a new work in support of UNICEF

María Berrío: The Cuttings
Frieze New York, The Shed, Booth A5
18–22 May 2022

Victoria Miro presents a significant new painting by María Berrío at Frieze New York, to be sold in support of UNICEF’s humanitarian response in Ukraine and its work helping children affected by emergencies around the world.

All profits from the sale will be donated to UNICEF to support its lifesaving work protecting children caught up in humanitarian emergencies, including Ukraine.

Based in Brooklyn, María Berrío grew up in Colombia. Her works, which are meticulously crafted from layers of Japanese paper, reflect on cross-cultural connections and global migration seen through the prism of her own history.

Speaking about this new painting the artist says: ‘In this work, a young woman holds a bouquet of fresh flowers, symbol of the blossoming youth cut down in the carnage of war. The bright yellows and oranges of the petals are seen against a backdrop of foreboding, smoggy brown and grays: it is a brief brightness, soon to be overtaken and smothered by the hues of smoke and rubble, the colors left in war’s wake.

‘My hope is that the raising of funds from this painting helps provide shelter and food for the people of Ukraine and other nations. This work is meant as a reminder of the fragility of all our existences, how suddenly everything can be taken away: our nations, cities, families are all perched atop thin stalks. It is the flimsiest of structures that supports our beautiful lives.’

The work will be for sale through sealed bids, with a reserve price of $100,000. The gallery will be accepting bids until the close of Frieze New York at 5pm EDT on Sunday 22 May 2022. To register your bid please email Clare Coombes.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.

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Image: María Berrío, The Cuttings, 2022

Japanese papers and watercolour paint on linen

132.1 x 86.4 cm
52 1/8 x 34 1/8 in

© María Berrío

Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro