Getting ready to go off to Scotland for the Society of Caribbean Studies conference at the University of Edinburgh.  Will give the paper about Caribbean Jouvert--more action in that series to come.

In the mean time, these are some that I have been painting--still enjoy the work boats.

30" x 24 " Acrylic On canvas

Ready the Sail

18" x 48" Oil on Canvas   Finish the Race

24" x 30" Acrylic on Canvas  3 to Get Ready

Caribbean Queen Oil on Canvas 2008 48" x 60" 

In Defense of the Beautiful

Contemporary Art is moved through a world-wide schedule of art fairs and biennales highly constructed by an establishment that designates its stars, who are rewarded by high price tags on works of questionable expression. These products may or may not stand the test of time when price and value would come into equilibrium.

The artists of the English-speaking Caribbean islands are largely ignored in the rarefied air of this art activity. Few of these artists have been able to step on to the stage of international recognition, to have their works seen or sold at these events. There are a host of reasons for this, but partially responsible is the very strong connection to and representation of the natural environment.

When a curator from North America or Europe looks at a landscape depicting the beauty of our islands, usually the work is dismissed as “kitsch” or art made as a souvenir for quick tourist sales. True, there is much that is sold that is not really art, but repetitive, stylized representation of easily identifiable icons—the palm trees, market ladies or beach scenes. However, for contemporary Caribbean artists to divorce themselves from the natural environment in favour of northern urban subjects, palettes and light is bowing to an establishment that resembles the colonial imperialism of our not too distant past.

High colour and contrast saturate our vision every moment that we look outside. While we live in relative peace, our human issues, our politics, our hopes and aspirations also are strong in contrast and dimension. The “identity search” that purportedly identifies Caribbean contemporary artist is perhaps an imposed ideology.

We know who we are. We are a rich island civilization framed by a synthesis of many peoples and cultures. We are those who have to dig deeply into our personal reserve of inner resources to deal with living in a part of the world where making art isn’t easy or convenient. Creativity springs from this inconvenience. We are not recognized within our own cultural milieu as being important contributors, yet we document our diverse and dynamic society within its achingly beautiful natural environment. And we are a people who faithfully rebuild after that same beauty turns on us in a violent hurricane or earthquake and destroys the work of a lifetime.

So when a Caribbean collector purchases a work of art from “home” he is not just buying something to decorate his walls. He is proclaiming with his dollars that this art work has great value. He is defying the deeply entrenched notion that whatever comes from “away” is intrinsically better than what is produced locally. He is casting his vote of confidence to the further building of this West Indian civilization that in terms of human development is a shining example to the rest of the world.

Therefore, I present this body of work of the beautiful Caribbean, with no apology.

Asher is my 23 year old son, who is currently pursuing art studies in the United States.  This two-person show is a great achievement for us.  His work is most definitely a reflection of his own vision.  You can see his work at www.ashermains.com

If you are in Barbados on Sat, Feb 2, we would love to have you join us at the opening reception.

22" x 18"

Acrylic on Canvas

"Carenage Impression"

36" x 36"

Oil on Canvas

"Carenage Evening"

24" x 36"

Acrylic on Canvas

Sold

"Fruit of the Valley"

36" x 24"

Acrylic on Canvas

"Grenada Nutmeg"

18" x 18"

Oil on Canvas

"Morning in the Garden"

36" x 48"

Oil on Canvas

Sold

"Coconut Ready"

48" x 48"

Oil on Canvas

Sold

"Window to the World"

48" x 48"

Oil on Canvas

SOLD

"Boat Building"

24" x 36"

Acrylic on Canvas

"End of Sandy Island"

24" x 36"

Oil on Canvas

Sold

(sorry I can't help it)

     Oil on Canvas

     24" x 18"

    "Generations"

SOLD

"Green Boat In"

Oil on Canvas

 48" x 48"

SOLD

"Pull Together"

Oil on Canvas

 48" x 48"

SOLD

"Pull Again"

24" x 36"

Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

"Working Boats"

48" x 68"

Oil on Canvas

"Boats in a Row"   SOLD

24" x 30"

Acrylic on Canvas

Picking the Cocoa,  36" x 36" Acrylic on Hard board.  At the Flamboyant Hotel.

Opening the Cocoa, 36" x 36" Acrylic on Hard Board, at The Flamboyant Hotel

Sweating the Cocoa 36" x 36", Acrylic on Hard Board  At The Flamboyant Hotel

Dancing the Cocoa, 36" x 36" Acrylic on Hard Board , at The Flamboyant Hotel

Polishing the Cocoa, 36" x 36" Acrylic on Hard Board  at The Flamboyant Hotel

Paradise Bay, aproximately 40" x 56", Oil on Canvas 2007

Sea Grape Tree, Oil on Canvas 24" x 36", 2007                     SOLD