2012 GALLERY AND PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Sonia Barnett – Jamaica
As a child born in the West Indies and raised in the United States, Sonia loves to paint, draw, and sketch scenes of people, island houses, and palm trees. An artist without formal training, Ms. Barnett’s painting style is evolving as she continues to be inspired by images of her present surroundings which currently include jazz musicians and abstract scenes that engage viewers on a more intimate level. Her work has been exhibited for over 9 years in several galleries in all five boroughs of New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Nicolle Blackwood – Jamaica
I’m a Jamaican-born artist from Kingston. From the tender age of 8, drawing was my passion. I attended Obsestan Prep, and then St. Hugh's High School where my work received several awards and wide recognition. I received my Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Edna Manley College. One of the people I can say I will always look up to is my uncle Paul Blackwood, who is a world renowned painter. My Uncle Paul inspired me to continue in whatever I wanted to do. I had my first exhibition with him at the age of 14. Since then I have participated in solo exhibitions and in exhibitions in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean with Paul Blackwood.
Terry Boddie - Nevis
Terry Boddie was born on the island of Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. His work as a photographer and multi-disciplinary artist explores the historical and contemporary aspects of memory, migration and globalization. The images often blur the distinctions between photography, drawing, and painting. Boddie received his BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 1989 and an MFA from Hunter College in 1997. Recently, his work has been exhibited in “KREYOL Factory”at the Parc La Villette in Paris, France, and in the show “Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art”at the Brooklyn Museum. His work has also been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute, The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and the Philadelphia Museum, among other venues. Awards and honors include the Studio Museum of Harlem Artist-In-Residence, Center for Photography at Woodstock Fellowship, the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, The Center for Book Arts Artist-In-Residence, and Marie Sharpe Walsh Artist-In-Residence.
David Boothman – Trinidad & Tobago
David Boothman, a celebrated artist/musician from Trinidad and Tobago, has been involved in the arts for over thirty-five years. He has performed extensively at international jazz and Caribbean music festivals. Boothman is founder of Caribbean Art Jazz Ensemble (“CAJE”) and founder/director of Caribbean Arts Central. An accomplished visual artist, he is an Honors Graduate of Pratt Institute in New York. As a composer, artist, musician and educator, he has received numerous awards for arts-in-education, and multi-media art productions in Trinidad and the US. Boothman’s work in the fields of arts, education, and performance qualifies him as a cultural engineer, creating and bridging traditional and contemporary cultural modalities towards the refinement of the Caribbean identity. He is considered to be the “Artists’ Artist.”
Patricia Brintle - Haiti
Self-taught artist Patricia Brintle was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States in 1964. Although she has made the U.S. her residence, her colorful style reflects her native land. Her works on the Holocaust are on permanent display at the Holocaust Center of Temple Judea in New York and are used as teaching tools for visitors. One of her religious works, The First Mother, travelled with the Black Madonna Exhibit which made its debut at the famed National Museum of Catholic Art and History in New York and toured museums throughout the United States. One of her paintings hangs in the permanent collection of Albert Schweitzer Institute in Hamden, Connecticut, and her images have been published in both secular and religious periodicals.
Ras Ishi Butcher – Barbados
Ras Ishi Butcher burst onto the international art scene in 1992when he was selected winner of the Medal D’Orat the Caribbean and Latin American Biennale of Painting, held in Santo Domingo. In 1997, Ras Ishi completed post-graduate studies in fine art at the prestigious University of Superior Studies (ISA) in Havana, Cuba. His work has been published and discussed in several publications such as “Barbadian Art: What Kind of Mirror Image?” by Cummins, Thompson and Whittle, “Black Art and Culture in the 20th Century” by Professor Richard Powell, and is represented in numerous public and private collections across the Americas, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Ras Bongo Congo I – Barbados
Since his conversion to the Rastafari faith in 1978, Ras Bongo Congo I has augmented his early training as a stonemason with a new found consciousness and has become one of the leading sculptors in Barbados today. 1992 saw Ras Bongo join with painter Ras Jahaziel Tafari for the ground- breaking exhibition “Let My People Go” at Queens Park Gallery in Bridgetown. Ras Bongo Congo is a multiple Gold Award winner in Barbados’ National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (“N1FCA”) and his hardwood creations have been exhibited frequently in the United States and Europe.
Neville Kamau Crawford – Barbados
Kamau Crawford is a multi-talented artist trained in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. He has been exhibited widely in Caribbean, Europe and North America. His work is in the collections of former Heads of State from Barbados, Guyana, and Venezuela, as well as the former Director of Marketing at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Eljodii – Barbados
Eljodii represents Joan Dianne Walcott and Ellon Thomas Lewis. Eljodii was established two years ago and produced “Bold Terra Rosa Ceramic-Sculptures-One of a Kind”. These unique and innovative sculptures gave Eljodii the opportunities to showcase at BMEX 2011, the Caribbean Craft and Gift Show, and build Bronze and Granite stone sculptures at the 12th China Changchun Sculpture Symposium. Walcott and Lewis are presently preparing for their first exhibition in April 2012.
Zoanne Evans – Barbados (Author/Artist)
Zoanne Evans has been writing and illustrating her work since the tender age of 7. Since the age of fourteen, Zoanne has won several local literary competitions, including first prize in three categories of the Irving Burgie Awards. She received an honorable mention at the 1999 Inaugural Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Awards, and the 2006 UNICEF Award at NIFCA. She is currently teaches Technical Writing and Academic Writing at The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.
Shawn Fields – Barbados
Shawn is a commercial fashion photographer who has developed a taste for fine art photography. Projecting his eye and fashion process to capturing the Caribbean landscape has brought an entire new perspective to this work.
Bill Grace – Barbados
Bill is a graduate of Acadia University, with studies at University of Valencia, Nova Scotia College of Art, and Skidmore College. He currently teaches at the Barbados Community College. His work has been featured in “Contemporary Ceramics” by Susan Peterson, “Art in Barbados” by Cummins, Thompson and Whittle, “Ceramic Monthly” and “Select” magazine. He has illustrated in several books and appeared in numerous catalogs. His multi-dimensional creations in coral, stone, glass, and clay have been commissioned by religious institutions: the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Barbados Government, and as gifts to Heads of State, including former United States President Bill Clinton.
Ron Griffith – Barbados
Born in Barbados, Ron Griffith spent part of his early childhood in Guyana before returning to Barbados to finish his studies at Harrison College. He is a professional photographer with over 40 years’ experience, capturing images and exhibiting his skills with companies such as Kodak Caribbean Ltd. Over the years his accumulated clientele include The Central Bank of Barbados, The Caribbean Development Bank, The National Cultural Foundation, Consulting Engineers Partnership, Mervyn Awon Architects Ltd., Higgs and Hill Caribbean Ltd., SRM Architects Ltd., Shell Antilles and Guianas Ltd., while at the same time teaching photography in The Fine Arts Division of The Barbados Community College. Ron has received special commendations of technical excellence from Photographers Forum Magazine, and Serbin Publications of California USA.
Grupo Alejandro Alfonso – Puerto Rico
Representing artists:
Jorge Checo – Dominican Republic
Carlos Santiago – Puerto Rico
Enrique Toledo – Cuba
Magdiel Wilfredo – Cuba
Ras Ilix Heartman – Barbados (b. 1958)
Ras Ilix Heartman, wood sculptor and farmer, was born in Barbados. Before exhibiting his sculpture at the 1994 "In The Spirit Festival" at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, Ras Ilix exhibited at the Third Havana Biennial in Cuba. Since then his work has been exhibited frequently at numerous exhibitions in Barbados and in the U.S. His sculpture Melchizedek was awarded "Best In Show" at the 1997 Black History Month Exhibition held at New York’s Hintersteiner Gallery in Washington Heights. His 2012 one man show received critical acclaim at the Queen’s Park Gallery in Barbados.
Jamal Ince – Barbados
Jamal Ince holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and a MS Ed. from Long Island University. His work has been exhibited widely in New York and is part of many private collections. In 2010 he received the Michael Kaye Award for Outstanding Art Educator. In describing his creative process he states, “In my work I have endeavored to create a mosaic that weaves culture and music together on the canvas.”
Ras Jahaziel – Barbados
Ras Jahaziel received his early introduction to the arts under the late Karl Broodhagen at Combermere School. His paintings have been exhibited widely in Barbados and the U.S., in many cases, accompanied by a full presentation of his essays, poems and videos. As his statement indicates, “… my art reflects the Rastafari philosophy and way of life. Therefore, it manifests itself in two forms: at one time torturous, because of the Black experience; and another, Edenic, because of the visions of the future. Many paintings are actual visual manifestations of the Rastafari songs of redemption.”
Francelle Jones – Dominica
Born in Dominica, Francelle was raised in New York but also has roots in Barbados. She believes her portrait photography challenges her to tell stories with neither sound nor words. The stories are always captured in the eyes. She is a self taught photographer whose work has been displayed frequently in art shows throughout New York City.
Judy Layne-Banks – Barbados
Barbadian Judy Layne-Banks is a batik artist whose textile works of art have been modeled at fashion shows in Barbados and across the Caribbean. Several of her works have been purchased by the Government of Barbados as gifts for visiting dignitaries. In 1992 she won a scholarship to Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Massachusetts where she earned her BFA with Honors in Fibers and Art Education. Her work can be found in the United West Indies Erdiston Teacher’s Training College as part of the collection of Barbados National Hero, Sir Hugh Springer.
Norma Lithgow – Honduras
A native of Honduras, Ms. Lithgow received her early training at the Academy of San Vincent Paul. She came to New York City to study fashion at French's Fashion Academy and went on to Spain to study art at the Academia de Bellas Artes. Ms. Lithgow’s wonderfully expressive “Jazz Series” paintings have been shown at New York’s 2003 and 2004 JVC Jazz Festivals and have won her an enthusiastic following ever since. Her creations are in private and public collections across the U.S. and Latin America.
Glen Martin – Trinidad & Tobago
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and currently living in New York City, Glen Martin is a multitalented artist that works in a variety of media, including figurative painting, illustration and crafts. Early recognition of his talent won him a full scholarship to the prestigious Pratt Institute where he earned his degree in painting and illustration. His paintings continue to be exhibited and collected in North America, Trinidad & Tobago, and beyond.
Omowale Morgan – Trinidad & Tobago
Born in Aruba and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, Omowale was trained in digital photography and later developed a passion for fine art photography. His recent works showcase the syncretism which exists throughout the region, from the Spiritual Baptists of Barbados, the Shango Baptists of Trinidad & Tobago, the Vodun in Haiti to Pocomania in Jamaica.
Carlton Murrell – Barbados
Carlton began his painting career at 18, inspired by the landscape of his native Barbados and eventually immigrating to the Capital City of Art – New York. While there, Murrell was awarded a scholarship to pursue advanced studies at the Art Students League. He later attended the Pan American School of Fine Art and Pel’s School of Commercial Art and Illustration. He has exhibited in museums and educational institutions, as well as numerous galleries throughout the United States. His works hang in permanent collections of Carver Federal Savings Bank, the Copper Corporation of Chile, South America, Howard University, and the Central Bank of Barbados. Mr. Murrell has received numerous awards, prizes and citations.
Rafza Nehaul - Barbados
Born in Guyana and educated both in Guyana and the United Kingdom, Rafza Nehaul nee Rahaman taught Integrated Science, Biology and Mathematics in London, Oxford, and Barbados. Rafza has lived in Barbados for the last 35 years and for only the past 10 years has devoted her time to her passion. The essence of her art is based on using readily available materials with concentration on recycling. Having come from an education background, Rafza reveals an essential part of her art process, which is to pass on “use what you have” and to encourage everyone to indulge in some form of creativity. “It is the journey in trying that makes us who we are.”
Ademola Olugebefola – US Virgin Islands
Ademola began his professional career as a bassist, playing with several small ensembles throughout the New York metropolitan area during the late 50s and early 60s. He retired from playing music in the late sixties to devote full time to the visual sciences. However, Ademola has continually incorporated musical ideas and theories in his extensive body of work over the last four decades in hundreds of exhibitions at major American museums, universities and cultural institutions as well as internationally. Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dr. Olugebefola has lectured and participated in forums at leading universities, museums and cultural institutions in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. He is a highly respected cultural activist and renowned Harlem artist whose art and career papers are in the permanent collection of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Hatch Billops Archives, Howard University, and scores of other well-respected American institutions.
Ras Akyem I Ramsay – Barbados
A graduate of Jamaica’s Edna Manley School of Art, Ras Akyem I is a veteran exhibitor throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, England, and the U.S. In 1996 Ras Akyem's paintings won the Gold Medal at the Third Biennial of Caribbean and Latin American Painting, held in Santo Domingo, and was part of the collective submission by Barbadian artists which won the Country Gold Medal. During 1995-1997 Ras Akyem successfully completed postgraduate studies at Cuba’s prestigious art academy, the University of Superior Arts (ISA). His work has been published and discussed in such publications as “Barbadian Art: What Kind of Mirror Image?” and “Caribbean Art”, by Veerle Poupeye. In 1998 he was awarded the Barbados Service Star in that year’s Barbados Independence Honors. Ras Akyem I is the recipient of the 2012 Caribbean Luminary of the Arts Award.
Steve Reid - Barbados
Steve Reid is a University of the West Indies trained agriculturist who has worked within the agricultural and financial services sectors for over two decades. Pottery making, however, has always appealed to his creative spirit and was brought to light in the early ’90s with displays at the Bridgetown Market and at the Barbados Crop Over Festival. His work often shows plant life and natural features of our environment, and carries an ancient spirit in a unique, contemporary style.
Barbara Russell – Jamaica
Barbara Russell is an emerging American-born artist with Jamaican grandparents. Her work similarity remix may suggest the work of other abstract painters such as cobra painter Asker Jorn, Mark Tobey, or that of Fernand Leger or Raoul Dufy. Barbara’s work has been shown at several Harlem galleries’ group shows as well as a solo exhibition at Bermuda Masterworks Museum, having much success.
Dennis Samuel – Grenada
A self-taught artist, Dennis Samuel was born in Grenada, West Indies. He now lives in New Jersey and works in New York. He has exhibited in the U.S. the Caribbean, and Europe. His work is owned by collectors from all over the world.
Lisa Smith-Fields – Barbados
A graduate of the Barbados Community College's Division of Fine Art, Lisa has also successfully completed courses in Ceramics and Serigraphy with Indigenous Potteries, Karoche Limited and Barbados National Cultural Foundation. Since then, Lisa has exhibited both her pottery and fine art at several important shows in Barbados, including the Art Collection Foundation Exhibition, the 1994 Findings Crop-Over exhibition, and the annual Young Contemporaries Exhibitions, 1994 -1998. Subsequently, Lisa’s work has been exhibited in New York City and London throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, gaining admirers and collectors along the way.
Ava Tomlinson – Jamaica
Jamaican painter Ava Tomlinson earned her BFA from Pratt Institute, and received additional training at the venerable New York City Art Students League. Her work has been exhibited widely in New York and is part of several private and public collections. In her words, “My work is a rich mixture of color, form and light, rooted in an American/Jamaican/European culture.”
Petra Toyin – Barbados
Petra is an award winning Visual Artist and Art Director. She has worked on a number of films and theatrical productions, including Gladstone Yearwood’s film “Sweet Bottom”, Kamau Brathwaite’s “Odale’s Choice” and Trey Anthony’s “Da Kink in my Hair.” The artist states, “My work exemplifies extensions of myself or, in most instances, direct self portraits. African influences are demonstrative of formative years spent in Nigeria. In 2006, I was privileged to attend the Biennial exhibitions and symposiums in Dakar, Senegal. I have been strongly influenced by the country’s artistic expressions, motifs and symbols found primarily in masks and sculpture.”
Alfred Weekes – Barbados
Alfred Weekes has been creating wire sculptures since the mid 1970s and his work has been exhibited widely throughout the Caribbean and North America. In 1993 Mr. Weekes was judged BEST IN SHOW at the 1993 Manchester Art Association Show in Manchester, Connecticut. In August 1998, Mr. Weekes' first one-man exhibition, “In Person", consisting entirely of colorful relief sculptures, received critical acclaimatBrooklyn Moon Café in New York City. This new direction has continued to evolve and his sculpture has become almost painterly in rendition. Mr. Weekes’ work is held in private collections throughout the Caribbean, Europe, and the U.S.
Arlington Weithers – Guyana
Born in Guyana, South America, Arlington Weithers now works and lives in the U.S. He earned a BFA (Magna Cum Laude) at CUNY Brooklyn College and is the recipient of the McGhee Honors Award. He received post graduate training at the Art Students League of New York and was awarded a scholarship to attend Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine where he won the Skowhegan Student and Faculty Purchase Awards. Most recently he was Artist-in-Residence for the City of Dallas, Texas, and was the 2003-2004 Artist-in-Residence - ‘Cohs Jiy’ in Mazunte, Mexico.
Tracey Williams – Barbados
In 1995 Tracey Williams made a decision to pursue her lifelong dream of pursuing a career as an artist and had the privilege to apprentice with mentor and renowned artist Stanley Greaves. She mounted three successful solo exhibitions, and twice won the Governor of the Central Bank Award. Tracey’s paintings have a magical romantic spiritual element with an erotic undercurrent. Her strength tends to be expressionistic with lots of multi layering of paint.
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