Bahamian Artists Revealed
Artists of the Bahamas, a documentary-film featured at the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), explores the life and work of eleven Bahamian visual artists - whose raw talent, individuality, and inspiration stem from unique aspects of their lives.
These men, Max Taylor, Amos Ferguson, John Beadle, Kendal Hanna, John Cox, Brent Malone, Antonius Roberts, Eddie Minnis, Dave Smith, and brothers Stan and Jackson Burnside, all agree that art is an intimate expression conveyed through a range of mediums and textures.
All of these men bring their own unique style and personalities to their work. And it was interesting to note that each said that their interest in exploring art came about through early influences in their lives.
In the film, directed and produced by Karen Arthur and Thomas Neuwirth of Island Films, Jackson Burnside tells how, before he became an artist, he wanted to study medicine. His creative leanings were sparked when he reconnected with an art teacher.
John Cox, another prolific Bahamian artist, recalled living in a home designed by an architect that subconsciously taught him to think in terms of space and structure.
Listening to the artists tell their stories of how they became interested in the visual arts, it's amazing the simple aspects of life that influenced their ability to produce an elaborate master piece that either captures a time in history, recreates the beauty of their environment or invokes some futuristic, alternate reality.
For John Beadle, it is the physical changes in the environment that influence his art work. "There are many factors in life that influence the work: that I do. Factors like the environment. like politics, social issues, my personal experiences are all factors that influence the work that I do," he told Tribune Arts.
According to Beadle, he tries to use anything necessary to communicate those ideas and experiences. "As far as mediums are concerned, I do whatever is necessary to convey the message or image. I use different paints, different colours or wires. Whatever it takes that is what I will use."
The process of creating an impeccable art piece is not just taking a brush and dipping it into a container of paint. There is more to it than that and there are a number of tools that these artists use. Some use traditional brushes, charcoal, palette knives, found objects, chainsaws and electronic media.
Eddie Minnis uses the palette knife as opposed to using the traditional paint brush to capture landscapes from the vibrant hues of the Poincianna tree to quaint Harbour Island neighbourhoods, seascapes and portraits.
Beadle uses cardboard and staples to create and accommodate his sculptures of life sized human figures. He said that his work carries an attitude that may be identified by art lovers. "I am not that sure if my work has a certain signature, but if it does I am sure that those who view or know my work would definitely recognize it. My work does somehow carry an attitude that I do want people to notice," he said.
While Beadle uses cardboard for his human sculptures, Antonius Roberts chooses wood because it is a representation of a life-giving force with its tangible presence on the earth. The substance offers artists an opportunity to reveal an intricate, and innate beauty, which can emerge only at the hands of a skilled craftsman.
His series of outdoor sculptures, the sacred spaces installations, were created to absorb and reflect the historical aspects of the country's slave origins, and honour our African ancestry. To create this meaningful masterpiece, he used a chainsaw to carve the distinct and beautiful appearance of African women who, he envisions, look back toward their homeland.
Joining Roberts, whose work is considered a milestone in Bahamian art, is Brent Malone. one of the first Bahamian artists to capture Junkanoo, the art form that is. on canvas. His work in this medium reveals his brilliance and love of his culture.
His paintings depict the actual parade: men, their bare backs glistening with sweat, rhythmically shaking the cowbells and beating the drums, and free dancers liberating themselves to the beat of the music.
Accompanied by the rich sounds of Peanuts Taylor and Friends, Ruppa-Pumpum and an original score by Tony Silva, the film does its job well, demonstrating that the work of these Bahamian artist must be appreciated for their display of raw talent, ingenuity, versatility and brilliance.
Source: The Tribune,
By Jeffarah Gibson, Arts Section
December 17, 2008
View the trailer...
