Caribbeanistic Culture

Artist Statement

As a mixed-media artist, I am interested in exploring the emotions that relate to the historical factors that appeared in the early 1600s in the Caribbean enslavement period. A movement that began in my hometown, “Barbados” in which the style of coloured people revived themselves by creating a festival called, “Kadooment” after the yearly harvesting of plantation enslavement. Embodying the traditional festival of “Crop Over” once called “Harvest Home”, which began during the enslavement of the sugar cane plantation harvesting it introduces the relationship of dance and song to create a celebration of freedom. Combining my artistic studies with the historical background of the crop-over which is a festival to celebrate the emancipation from slavery, the Caribbean flags and materials rhythm as one to express my roots by stamping my ancestors through my work. The technique is influenced by a connection with ancestors of freedom and growth that represents a great factor in the process of these art pieces. My painting explores the forms and symbolism of Black Caribbean culture within the history of emancipation from slavery, this physical labour bonds my culture into this work which materializes an emotional expression and connection to a soulful drive.

My recent work, titled “Culture, draws me near to “BLACK CARIBBEAN HISTORY”, by using nails as a structure by weaving the thread to build a three-dimensional painting of colours within the two-dimensional space of the installation. My creative work includes drawings, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and painting. I believe the purpose that creates the insight in art, is supported by an interdisciplinary practice that disciplines my practice to develop each media by recreating the general way of mixed media. Having this discipline gives me as an artist the insight into how countries can be united as one. Having that unique voice of emotional links gives a flat surface a meaningful factor of steps towards materializing the expression of an emotional artwork. Many of my installations focus on the way I build forms through materials like nails, thread, paint and many more materials to add along with other upcoming projects. By using black silhouettes to transform the human figure into a three-dimensional painting it imposes the beauty of “OUR” heritage. Introducing the relationship of dance and song to the upcoming paintings transforms the beauty of each silhouette into a movement of celebration with colour, texture, and rhythm.   

The installation surrounds the mixed-raced sexuality, the behaviour, and the characters that relate to a given religious Caribbeanistic culture. By defining the structure, I introduce the installation with a very labour-intensive rhythm of nails and medium that can be considered as art-craft. By installing this connection with the canvas, I heightened the historical artwork as a celebration of freedom.  Introducing this new paragraph by exploring the depths of materials opens a new space to explore but also defines my art practice. 

The more I knew about my HISTORY, the more I became LIBERATED.