The Original Bahamians

Grand Bahama - On Friday, January 11, 2008 Antonius Roberts celebrated a milestone birthday surrounded by close friends, colleagues, and family at Sculpture Pointe, Junkanoo Beach Club (the former Tranquility Shores).

Upon arrival quests were greeted and walked through the exhibition area which is outdoors - where tall carved monuments stand proudly on either side of the pathway entrance into the Junkanoo Beach Club. The exhibition is permanently on display there.

"On display this evening is a preview of the initial steps of my Grand Bahama Island journey, which is symbolized by the systematic removal and transformation of the remains of Casuarinas lining the picturesque Taino Beach, that were uprooted during the hurricane season of 2004," Roberts told guests.

"Inspired by the indomitable spirit of the Grand Bahama community, this work celebrates the graceful images of the "Original Bahamians" - possibly the Siboney Indians, a Stone Age hunter/gatherer people who entered the Bahamas and Caribbean about 4,000 years ago; the Taino Indians from South America at the time of Jesus Christ, and the more recent Lucayan Indians who were here when the Spanish arrived in 1492.

"The spirit of the Casuarinas which bowed respectfully to gale force winds are now transformed into the historic graceful stance akin to Ariel of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest': a classical welcome to this wonderful space.

"This evening I embrace you on my 50th birthday, in this simple setting of fine art, nature, a variety of all-Bahamian recorded music; a beach bonfire and light repast.

"Thank you for sharing an important milestone in my life..."

Antonius J. Roberts
Sculpture Pointe at Junkanoo Beach Club, Taino Beach
January 11th, 2008