HIV / AIDS "Emerges From The Shadows"
MIAMI, FLORIDA - The dust had not settled from a group exhibition of Bahamian artists at the Diaspora Vibe Gallery/Diaspora Vibe Cultural Incubator here when well-known Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts opened "Emerging from the Shadows, A Celebration of Hope", a life affirming collective piece of work, at the gallery.
Roberts by all means commands the eyes and ears of attention.
He has taken fare to the quote by artist, poet and activist Maya Angelou, "whatever you do in life, do it so well that people do not want to take their eyes off of you".
Though he recognizes himself as an artist first, (sculptor and painter), he is also a concerned citizen, activist and humanitarian.
"Emerging from the Shadows, A Celebration of Hope" is an exhibit which calls for an international audience with a universal issue, HIV and AIDS. The exhibit proffers silhouettes of people who have been diagnosed as HIV positive and those living with AIDS.
As an artist, Roberts uses recycled and discarded objects to create sculpture. According to the artist, the basic philosophy of this method of creating is exposing the spirit that resides beneath the surface of things and the gift of liberation through creation, which in many ways ties in to the message of "hope".
Hence, "Emerging from the Shadows", which delves into the psyche, touches upon a real life issue and manages to pull one from the idea of despair to a call of hope.
The exhibit was inspired by revelations during an introspective period for the artist. He feels that in spirit he was called to make a difference in the lives of others on a grand scale, far beyond the limitations of art houses and galleries. He found himself with the opportunity to enter into dialogue with people, document their lives, and most admirable was his ability to stand up and make sacrifices in his own life to highlight the plights of others.
By this Roberts speaks on the issues of stigmas and discrimination for HIV positive individuals and AIDS carriers in The Bahamas. For many this is their semblance of hope, as they are so easily considered the "forgotten ones".
Roberts says, "a loud voice is good, but giving back is an honor".
"Emerging from the Shadows" has allowed him to speak to the issue as a Bahamian artist.
The Aids Foundation of The Bahamas has partnered with Roberts and has been instrumental in getting people to embrace and face the issue of HIV and AIDS. This has fostered an aspect of hope rather than the ill attitudes of abandonment and condemnation.
"Emerging from the Shadows" is a vehicle, voice and solid symbol of hope. This is clear as one looks at the silhouettes of images around the gallery. What sprawls are the images of real people on acrylic canvas, real people from different walks of life. They are synonymously linked as countrymen, women, children, by race, statistics and regrettably the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Because the life of the exhibit centers on the impoverished and majority of The Bahamas, this being Afro-Caribbean, it produces a different landscape of a portion of the world so to speak. How are Caribbean countries dealing with this issue? Who speaks for the people? What is being done for the people? "Never enough," Roberts says.
He says the American influence on the issue of HIV and AIDS is global and so are brand names like Nike with the slogan "Just Do It". He asks, why canąt there be impact made to penetrate the people, raise awareness and funds to make a difference in the lives of people, in healthy ways, in The Bahamas and other sister Caribbean countries?
With proper concern, care and action, Roberts hopes to help eradicate the stigmas about this disease that has for so long cast gray clouds in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS, and in memory to the lives lost by it.
Roberts met with the real life people of "Emerging from the Shadows" and licensed a collaborative project, enabling them to use their voices, embrace their identity and to "stretch their lives on canvas, and opportunity for them to say to the world, "here I am".
It forces and encourages dialogue at the same time. It makes social statements, is a lesson in judgment and is non-confrontational. For those in tune with themselves and conscious of the sisterly and brotherly connection to all, it forces one to ask these questions.
If people with other illnesses and diseases can be cared for and accepted, why not those living with HIV/AIDS, and why does the four letter word A-I-D-S cause so many different reactions?
With a keen sense of emotional intelligence, Roberts answers, "Emotions do not solve anything, action does."
HIV/AIDS relates to health and social issues. We as a people are called to make a difference.
Roberts has and will continue to do so.
For more information regarding this exhibit contact the Post House Studio & Gallery in Nassau, Bahamas.
By ALEXIS ALLEYNE-CAPUTO
From The Nassau Guardian
