The threshold between an old and a new year is highly visual. People often set their sights on what is to come—redrawing horizon lines and picturing the shape life will take.
They also look back on an image of accumulated days and months. We might consider the “life” of art in the same way. While our artists, gallerists and other administrators are formulating the contours of T&T’s visual arts scene for 2016, we can reflect on an impression of the past year. Here is a portrait of key themes and issues for 2015.
Looking back; looking ahead
The Shaw Park Cultural Complex opened in Tobago with a large exhibition titled A Retrospective View. The event was curated by James Armstrong, who is a founding member of the Tobago Art Group.
The show featured works from and about Tobago—giving an opportunity to consider the influences and development of the visual arts in Tobagonian society, from the first known paintings of the island by Sir William Young, 2nd Baronet (governor of Tobago from 1807-1815) to the creative efforts of the Tobago Art Group, the Art Committee of Tobago and the Tobago Visual Arts Association.
Artworks on display included those by Enola Arnold, Edward Hernandez, Alfred James, Kaja Moses, Jason Nedd, Avion Orr, Chris Thomas, Nyla Singh and Jackie Hinkson. The exhibition served as a means to look back while celebrating the energy of possibilities emanating from the dedicated spaces for art offered in the new building.
Light
The United Nations designated 2015 as the international year of light and Y Art Gallery used the theme as a pivot point for its annual Jewelbox exhibition. Artists Jade Drakes, Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, Ashraph, Rachel Ross, Janice Derrick and Barbara Jardine explored the topic in various ways, including a look at the sparkle of human connections, the shimmer of patterns and textures and the twinkling motif of fireflies.