Image: “Andros” by Lemero Wright, acrylic on canvas, 2012
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I was invited by The Bahamas National Festival Commission to develop a visual arts component for the first Bahamian Junkanoo Carnival. The concept of The Arts Pavilion was designed as an open gallery space to provide visual artists in The Bahamas with a platform to expose their talents. During carnival week The Arts Pavilion will host the Bahamian Visual Art Expo featuring thirty-two artists.
ANTONIUS ROBERTS
Curator, The Arts Pavilion
In March an open call for artists to participate in the expo was shared through online and social media and the response was impressive. The local art community is known in the region as a thriving, supportive and cohesive group of artists, one in which master artists intermingle with emerging artists to foster nurturing relationships. This provides opportunities for mentorship and access to technical support among a unique group of creative individuals who take pride in supporting each other. The mission of The Arts Pavilion is to provide exposure and economic opportunities for creative individuals, particularly undiscovered artists who require networking and exhibition platforms to establish themselves within the creative industry. Amanda Coulson, Director of The National Gallery of The Bahamas reviewed the expo’s submissions and selected three artists to be presented as winners of the Gold Star Award. Each artist will receive a Gold Star Pin and a $1500 grant to assist in the development of their creative practice. The Bahamas National Festival Commission have supported this effort by donating an additional $1500 to the grant. I envision The Arts Pavilion to expand over the years to attract and include the works of regional artists. This will help further establish The Bahamas as a creative arts hub in the Caribbean, providing opportunities for greater cultural alliances and access to technical and creative support for the regional art community. The Bahamas is recognized as the gateway to the new world and I believe sustained investments in the visual arts community will provide fertile grounds for the expansion of the Orange Economy. On behalf of The Bahamas National Festival Commission, The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and The Arts Pavilion team, I wish to thank all participating artists and patrons who have supported and celebrated this new creative venture!
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GOLD STAR AWARD
GOLD S It was with great excitement and curiosity that I walked down from the NAGB to Hillside House to view the artwork earmarked to represent our artistic production in The Arts Pavilion. It is always with a bit of trepidation that one agrees to judging contests; it is hard to have to choose, knowing that many deserving artists will not all be winners.
AMANDA COULSON
Director, The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB)
I always prefer, in the first stage, not to know whose work I am looking at; that way I can process the work with no pre-judgement. My first impression of the submissions was that there was a lot of good work, a great variety of technique and media. The Bahamas has a really strong creative bent in our people: colour, form, design… these things are always at the fore. My second impression was that the creative community is stifled by our relationship to tourism. Consistently, I remark that when an artist really felt “free” to please no one but him or herself, the work was stronger. When the artist was trying to appeal to what they thought buyers might want to take home with them, the work was less strong. So this would be a note I would give all Bahamian artists: trust yourself, trust your instincts and do work that makes you feel good. Don’t worry about who you are painting or creating for, but do what your soul tells you to. There were several artists that really popped out at me — we are spoiled for talent here! Marco Mullings, Rosemarie Laing, Navarro Newton, Kirkwood Deal and Danielle Darville — these are just a few that deserve an honourable mention and I am sure there were many more!
The three artists I selected for The Gold Star Award were: Timothy Nottage, Lemero Wright and Shashla Bethune. I chose these artists because of their diversity in style and because all their work spoke to me for different reasons.
Timothy Nottage I have never met in person and I am not very familiar with his work. I do know students he has taught and have heard him spoken of very highly. When I was looking through his submissions I didn’t know whose work it was but it
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immediately took my attention. The subject matter is interesting: young men, Bahamian youth, clearly of an age to be at school, but seemed much older in their experience and gaze than in their actual years; tough but also vulnerable. The figures are well-modeled and he captures their expressions with total precision; his choice of angles and point-of-few are also interesting, not a traditional head-on view but from above, or close up—very unusual choices. The figures are “realistic” but the backgrounds are abstract expressionist collages that are full of passion and energy. The contrast between the “reality” and the “abstract” is very compelling and his use of colour is fabulous and seems to communicate the emotions underlying these youths’ actions and expressions. Somehow the work encapsulates so much about The Bahamas: the contrast between all the staggering beauty and colour, but also the underlying tension and sometimes darkness or stress. Very powerful and beautiful at the same time.
Lemero Wright is an artist whose work I have come across and always enjoyed but in this particular body of work I think he has shown himself braver and pushed himself deeper. I really admired this because it is hard to go beyond what’s comfortable. In the past, I felt the artist might have struggled with whether he was an illustrator, graphic artist or a painter and I feel like he is embracing being a painter and really enjoying the paint itself. Not just the lines and the colour and how they play together, but he is clearly getting into the material itself and what he can do with it. Normally, the work sometimes is just on the border of being a cartoon, but with this series there was a depth that moved beyond surface. His approach seemed to lend a seriousness to the work that made you look at it longer and really take time with it … not just smile and move along. The series of faces seem to speak to both Cubism, African masks and to how we use facades to hide ourselves or our emotions; the surreal ‘Andros” (a psychedelic conch shell) and “Bird” were also just very enjoyable and fantastical. I wanted to give Mr. Wright a Gold Star because my feeling was that he has progressed as an artist and continued to push himself and he should
STAR be rewarded for that and keep on pushing.
The last star I awarded was to Shashla Bethune because she had also made some brave choices. I think it is clear she is still a young artist and there might have been other artists in the group that had been around longer or were more mature in their practise, but I can see she has somewhere to go and I wanted to encourage that journey. A few of the canvases were still naive, but works like “Hard Knock Life”, “Agony” and “Shadow Hour” went in some really interesting directions. I loved that in “Agony” she left the natural wood…it was as though the emotions of the characters were so raw, like the wood, they had been stripped down to nothing. Sometimes painters don’t know when to stop and they overdo it: she made a very brave choice to try to say a lot with very little. “Shadow Hour” and “Hard Knock Life” she used a drip technique to create a wonderful surface texture. The colour palette in “Shadow Hour” was beautiful and so unusual… I hope she continues in this direction. This was a large and very ambitious piece and she pulled it off and didn’t take the easy route of painting a typical, Bahamian, pretty nature scene. It was an unusual choice but it stood out for being such. It’s always hard to have to pick only three when there are so many talents, so I made the decision to select different artists for different reasons, and not to just pick the most well-known or those whose technique might be more advanced because they had been practising longer. One is a mature artist whose practise is welldeveloped and is showing absolute excellence at handling paint; one is an artist who has pushed through to a new level in his practise; and one is a relative youngster who may still have further to go but is headed in the right direction. All should be commended and I am proud that all the participating artists will be representing The Bahamas in The Arts Pavilion.
LEMERO WRIGHT
TIMOTHY NOTTAGE
SHASHLA BETHUNE
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FEATURED ARTISTS
Inside-out, Outside-in INSTALLATION PROJECT
JOHN BEADLE John Beadle was born in The Bahamas in 1964. He is a multi-discipline artist whose work draws from his involvement in his community’s cultural practices and the intimate observation of that space. John mines his environment for information to inform his material use, utterances/narratives and direction… at times the material is metaphorical other times, physical. For over thirty years he has been instrumental in transforming the contemporary Bahamian art landscape by forming art collectives and working toward a creolization of his art practice. John says, “I want my art to communicate with the same patois and poetry as my tongue.”
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INSIDE-OUT, OUTSIDE-IN The project is to construct a large parade “costume” in a space that is considerably smaller than the area it would normally occupy and have the audience interact with the space/ architecture. All elements that would have protruded past the perimeter of the cube form are truncated. The resulting “inside the box” architectural space is treated as a parade piece turned in on itself, exposing what could have been its exterior two- and three-dimensional design elements, as well as the structural supports that make the sculpture stable.
The resulting space is irregular in its perimeter travel and ceiling height, suggesting the inside of an organic form. Travel paths through the space/sculpture are also organic, and at times constricted. A component of the larger piece is a smaller wearable sculpture that speaks to a narcissistic predisposition in all performers and performances, which has allowed for the throwing away of the mask as a means of concealment and secret. The parade is a showing off of the person, the creation of a personality, the embodiment of an “I come to get me!” attitude that asks for an image, an artifact, to establish proof, more so than it does a recording of participation in an event.
Dance with Me LIVE ART MURAL
ALLAN P. WALLACE Allan Pachino Wallace was born in The Bahamas in 1979. He is a visual artist who specialises in murals and live paintings. Allan studied at The College of The Bahamas, under the tutelage of Antonius Roberts where he realized his true talent in portraiture and figure drawing. After working on various commissions he sought to challenge himself by working on a larger scale. This led him to develop a keen interest in the process and practice of mural painting and painting performances. Since his involvement as Artistic Coordinator with The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas’ Liveable Neighbourhoods Project in 2008 Allan has become one of the most prolific contemporary mural artists
in the country. He has worked on numerous public art projects and mural commissions in Nassau and a few Outer Islands. His most prominent corporate clients include BTC, Burns House, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of Culture, PEPFAR, and most recently Baha Mar Resorts. An integral part of Allan’s creative practice focuses on his involvement with community based projects. This has lead him to work with several charitable organisations and educational institutions including The AIDS Foundation, Paradise Children’s Foundation, The College of The Bahamas and several primary and secondary schools. To date Allan’s largest and most monumental mural depicts key periods in Bahamian history spanning over 78
feet in Nassau-based restaurant, Lukka Kairi. Although Allan primarily works in mural and live art he has also exhibited his work in solo and group art shows. His work is included in many public and private collections including those of The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, The Central Bank of The Bahamas, The D’aguilar Art Foundation, and The Dawn Davies Collection. Allan’s work has also been exhibited in the Caribbean, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
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ALLIA DEAN
CAMERON JOHNSON
DANIELLE DARVILLE
JOHN BEADLE
ALLAN P. WALLACE
CHANTAL E. Y. BETHEL
JALAN HARRIS
JASMINE CHIPMAN
ATTILA FESZT
DALE ALLEN
JEFF COOPER
DALEANA LYNCH
BEATRICE GARDINER
DWAN DEVEAUX
EDRIN SYMONETTE
JUDITH PAILLON
KERRI BASCOM
LEMERO WRIGHT
ROSEMARIE LAING
SHANTEENA SIMMS
KAREEM WILLIAMS
MARCO MULLINGS
JALAN FRANCIS
SPURGEONIQUE MORLEY
KIRKWOOD DEAL
NAVARRO NEWTON
SONIA ISSACS
TREVOR TUCKER
LAMARO SMITH
NOWÉ HARRIS-SMITH
SHASHLA BETHUNE
TIMOTHY NOTTAGE
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
ALLIA DEAN
ATTILA FESZT
BEATRICE GARDINER
CAMERON JOHNSON 12
Allia received her Associate’s Degree in Architecture from The College of The Bahamas in 2012. During her time at The College she became passionate about waste management and sustainable practices and pursued a course in sea glass jewelry. After completion in 2012, Allia founded Always by Allia M. Dean, a fine jewelry
company that produces handmade pieces which are recyclable and architecturally inspired. Currently, Allia is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing at The College of The Bahamas and looks forward to combining, Art, Architecture and Marketing to transform the way Bahamians view and appreciate recycling practices and initiatives.
Attila graduated in 1999 from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) in History of Art and Design specialising in Graphic Design. His art and design work is an attempt to capture the essence of island life in The Bahamas using original pattern designs, paintings and illustrations inspired
by its pristine natural beauty. He is the 2012 winner of Fash|Art’s Jackson Burnside Award for emerging visual artists. He held his first solo show ‘Life on my Island’ at Doongalik Gallery in 2013. He has also participated in groups exhibitions in The Bahamas, China and Italy.
For Beatrice fine art is not a career path, but a labour of love. She enrolled in her first art class with Mr. Antonius Roberts at The College of The Bahamas. She received further training from other established local artists including Kim Smith, Anthony “Big Mo” Morley, Dion Lewis and Clifford Fernander. Beatrice’s natural inclination when approaching
her art is to paint faces. “I receive lots of inspiration from mature faces, faces that tell a story and eyes that house wisdom, experience and peace. I am also inspired by the sea and its endless variety of colours and by buildings as I try to paint to preserve the beautiful character they possess.”
Cameron is currently pursuing his Associate’s Degree in Art at The College of The Bahamas. He primarily works in pencil, ink, and paints, but his true passion is in digital media. Using inspiration from comics and animation, as well as his appreciation for the complex paintings of the Renaissance, he creates imaginative characters and compositions while
seeking to incorporate various cultural influences around the world in each piece. With fine attention to detail, he brings each concept to life and strives to learn new approaches and techniques. Cameron heavily emphasises the importance of narrative in a lot of his work and occasionally incorporates humor.
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015 // THE ARTS PAVILION
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
DWAN DEVEAUX
Since a young age Dwan has been fascinated with art, and could always be found doodling in books. She was self-taught until 2008 when she graduated from Cherub Christian Academy, and enrolled into The College of The Bahamas
to pursue her Associate’s Degree in Art. Her areas of interests are photography, painting and mixed media techniques. Her art is influenced by natural black beauty and culture.
EDRIN SYMONETTE
After obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Art from The College of The Bahamas Edrin became more interested in contemporary practices. He looked for inspiration not only from masters of the Renaissance, but contemporary Bahamian master artists. Edrin is currently an art instructor
and feels that his passion for art in its natural and unnatural form is necessary in helping to inspire his students about the beauty in the world. “My ultimate job as an artist, art teacher, and Bahamian, is the preservation of our cultural practices and traditions for future generations.”
JALAN HARRIS
Jalan also commonly known as Juno is a mixed media artist from Grand Bahama. She began as a comic artist eventually venturing into photography. Jalan curated her first exhibition at 21 and over the years has participated in several group exhibitions.
She graduated from The College of The Bahamas in 2014 with her Associate’s Degree in Art and plans to attend Edna Manley College in Jamaica to continue her studies in the near future.
JASMINE CHIPMAN 14
Jasmine is currently enrolled in The Art Education Programme at The College of The Bahamas. She has always seen her self more as a craft artisan
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
than an artist. Jasmine recently found her new love for collage and mixed media which she hopes to develop during her time at The College.
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
JEFF COPPER
JUDITH PAPILLON
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Jeff is a Bahamian illustrator and cartoonist. Although well at home with painting, producing many murals and fine
art paintings for national and international patrons, his true passion is cartooning.
Judith’s work illustrates the beauty of The Bahamas. Born in Quebec City, Judith Papillon is an autodidact artist who portrays images of her adopted island of Andros in watercolour and acrylic. She graduated from Ottawa University with a B.A. in Translation and also received a Teaching Certificate from Concordia University in Montreal.
Her fascination with experiencing new cultures, has lead her to travel extensively around the world. During her early days on Andros she became a teacher at North Andros High School where she taught Spanish for 10 years.
KAREEM WILLIAMS
Kareem completed his Associate’s of Science in Engineering Degree at The College of The Bahamas in 2014. His art studies were mainly independent, although he studied art in high school and at The College. Kareem’s artist name is Kream Will, and
his work has been exhibited in several exhibitions in Nassau. His art style mainly encompasses realism, and surrealism and he continues to find innovative ways of telling stories through his art.
KERRI BASCOM
Kerri finds motivation in the works of leading Bahamian artists. She nurtured her talent in highschool under the tutelage of Moya Strachan who encouraged her to pursue art
outside of the classroom experience. Taking this advice throughout high school she developed her signature artistic style and participated in local exhibitions and competitions.
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015 // THE ARTS PAVILION
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
KIRKWOOD DEAL
LAMARO SMITH
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Kirkwood is currently pursuing his Associate’s Degree in Architecture. He started art lessons at the age of 11 mentored by Sonia Issacs and
completed six years with her. He also became a member of the National Art Centre Enrichment Program in 2011, mentored by Timothy Nottage.
Lamaro studied computer animation at Full Sail University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. With 7 years experience
as a commercial artist his portfolio consists of work in the fields of illustration, animation, graphic design, advertising and marketing.
LEMERO WRIGHT
Lemero is currently completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education at The College of The Bahamas. He has participated in numerous art shows and festivals in The Bahamas.
MARCO MULLINGS
Marco was born in The Bahamas in 1977. He obtained his Degree in Fine Art, and a diploma in Secondary Art Education. He is currently an art teacher with St. Augustine’s College.
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015 // THE ARTS PAVILION
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
CHANTAL E.Y. BETHEL
DALE ALLEN
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mixed media artist, Chantal works from a place A of deep emotion to express what sometimes can only be felt. Her work was selected by the World Day of Prayer International Committee for their poster this year and became part of the first stamp issue in 2015 by British Mint on behalf of
The Bahamas Post Office. Chantal’s work has been exhibited throughout The Bahamas as well as the USA and Canada. Her work is in private and corporate collection at home and abroad including the Waterloo Center for the Arts Museum in Iowa and the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
Dale is a mixed media artist with a strong focus in Graphics and Illustration. His love and adoration for visual art lead him to begin his clothing brand Nova Clothing in 2010. His style comes
from his surroundings, feelings or midnight inspirations. Though his part in the art community has been small, he has been active for 5 years. Most recently he took part in Black and Read.
DALEANA LYNCH
Daleana pursued a Degree in Visual Arts from Miami Intentional University of Art & Design. She has exhibited in Miami and Nassau in places such as The Doongalik Studios Art Gallery and the Mocktails Group Exhibit in MIU. She is also very involved with mural projects such as The Ocean at Westland Mall in Hialeah Florida, Junktonew at Camp Bahamas in Tarpum Bay Eleuthera and her most recent involvement with
The Raw Project for Art Basel Week at the Jose De Deigo School. Apart from her freelancing, she is currently working at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Wynwood Miami as their graphic designer and webmaster. She is also expanding her artistic abilities into her brand, DSea Designs, which is a visual arts based company that uses oceanic inspired drawings on high quality fabrics.
DANIELLE DARVILLE
Danielle is a visual artist from Long Island and her love for the sea inspires a lot of her artwork. Danielle’s art follows a ”free flowing” expressionism style. At the end of this year she will be a graduate of The College of The Bahamas with an Associate’s Degree in Art and hopes to become a special effects make-up artist in the near future. Over the past 3
years she has participated in the annual art tour, Transforming Spaces and has exhibited in COB’s annual Colour of Harmony event and The Central Bank of The Bahamas Annual Art Competition. Her most recent exhibition was hosted by Sapodilla Restaurant under the theme Black and Read.
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015 // THE ARTS PAVILION
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
NAVARRO NEWTON NOWÉ HARRISSMITH
ROSEMARIE LAING
SHANTEENA SIMMS 22
Navarro is currently pursuing his Associate’s Degree in Art at The College of The Bahamas. He is an emerging Bahamian artist who doesn’t limit himself to a particular medium or style.
Nowé is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education at The College of The Bahamas. She has participated in various exhibitions,
Rosemarie is a Bahamian artist and art educator, who has a genuine passion for the art world. She received her Associate’s Degree from the International Fine Arts College, and her Bachelor’s of Education Degree from The College of The Bahamas. She held her first solo art show in 2008,
Shanteena is currently enrolled in The Art Education Programme at The College of The Bahamas. Experimentation and process are key to her creative journey as she learns to develop her artistic style.
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
However, his love for the human form can often been seen in his recent work which pushes the boundaries of the viewer’s expectations.
festivals and art competitions in Nassau. She has interests in urban art and much of her recent work uses spray paint, stencils and layering.
and since then has exhibited in both solo and group arts shows throughout The Bahamas. She is currently in pursuit of her Master’s Degree in Art Education. Her desire is to continue molding artistic minds, while producing artwork.
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
SHASHLA BETHUNE
SONIA ISSACS
SHORLETTE FRANCIS
SPURGEONIQUE MORLEY 24
THE ARTS PAVILION // BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015
Shashla is a part time Architecture major at The College of The Bahamas. She has participated in several local art competitions and festivals.
Sonia studied Art History in Rome, Paris, Geneva and London. She also attended Art College in Boston Mass. There she majored in Fine Arts. After completing college she returned home to pursue a professional career as an artist. Sonia was the first Bahamian woman to host a one-woman exhibition in the United States. This exhibition was hosted as by the Mental
Shorlette’s respect for the environment and passion for recycling has translated into her business Turning Glass into Class. She takes used glass bottles and jars, and transforms them into decorative fine art. On the Island of Eleuthera she teaches courses in glass fusion, jewelry making and recycled glass art with
Spurgeonique is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education at The College of The Bahamas. Although, she is mosty known for her ceramics work she also enjoys painting. Spurgeonique adopts
Health Association of Monmouth County, and was sponsored by lifestyle Magazine House Beautiful. Sonia became the first female artist from The Bahamas to have eight of her paintings published on the cover of six books and two maps. As a mood painter, Sonia adds skill with versatility making a statement of blending colours and textures into uniquely diversified forms.
her students ranging from 7 to 70 years old. Shorlette specialises in concrete and recycled glass counter tops, terrazzo flooring and planters. Her work is featured in the Eleuthera Arts & Culture Center, The Island School’s Hallig House and numerous fashionable homes throughout Eleuthera and Nassau.
a very organic and somewhat playful style in her paintings. Her most recent works experiments with colour and movement and their relationship with digital images.
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
TIMOTHY NOTTAGE
TREVOR TUCKER In 1998 Trevor received an Associate’s Degree in Art as well as a Diploma in Secondary Education from The College of The Bahamas. His education continued at Louisiana Tech University where he graduated in 2001 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. He has taught at primary and secondary school level since returning home and is currently teaching art at St. Augustine’s College.
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BAHAMIAN VISUAL ART EXPO 2015 // THE ARTS PAVILION
Image: “Interfaces” by Timothy Nottage, acrylic on canvas, 2013
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© 2015 Photography By Dwan Deveaux | Design By Keisha Oliver