Emalin is pleased to present 92-01 in livin color, Alvaro Barrington's third solo presentation with the gallery. The exhibition brings together a new body of work that reflects on the profound impact of the crack cocaine epidemic on Black communities across the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. Rather than offering a purely historical account, Barrington approaches this period through personal and collective memory, examining how its social consequences continue to shape cultural identity and lived experience.

Organized across four distinct environments, the exhibition explores the ways in which Black communities responded to this crisis through creativity, resilience, and collective expression. Barrington foregrounds the cultural practices that flourished despite systemic neglect, highlighting the role of everyday forms of resistance in sustaining community life. His immersive installations invite viewers to consider the epidemic not only as a public health emergency, but also as a catalyst for new forms of artistic and cultural production.

Throughout the exhibition, Barrington examines the significance of fashion, music, and other artistic practices as spaces of survival, self-definition, and solidarity. These cultural forms become central to his exploration of how communities transformed adversity into powerful expressions of identity and agency. 92-01 in livin color ultimately offers a nuanced reflection on a defining historical moment while celebrating the enduring creativity and resilience that emerged in its wake.