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Hurricane Floyd (the terrible) destroyer of many things did leave something positive in its aftermath, but it took the creative genius of a Bahamian Artist to discover it. Antonius Roberts, Bahamian born celebrated Artist, was appalled by what was regarded as a waste of resource. "After the hurricane, there was a lot of wood just lying around this country; and it really hurts to see it ' just being picked up and dumped, as opposed to our considering the aspect of recycling.
The Spaniards, when they came here, discovered our beautiful, wonderful, indigenous trees and particularly the Hard-Wood Trees, which they took back with them and transformed our wood into fine furniture and building of ships." And Roberts attempted to do likewise, only through sculpturing.
Wood Sculpturing is new to Artist Roberts but he is enjoying the sculptor's experience, and his relationship to the art appears intense.
His obvious intuition and visual sensibilities come across clearly in this newly embarked-on area of art. "Connection 2000 - Salute to Artists" is Antonius Roberts' largest one-man exhibition of sculptures and paintings to date.
His focus, for this one, particularly, is wood sculptures and he attempts a more meaningful connection with more indigenous material to acquire and to express more of his African Heritage, while at the same time, explore the possibilities resulting from use of indigenous material of The Bahamas.
Out of Antonius the painter, has emerged Antonius Roberts the sculptor; and from the approximately eighty pieces of sculptures selected for showing, his emergence is both timely and astonishing; especially to those traditional followers of Artist Antonius, as he is affectionately known to these fans.
Exhibition, "Connection 2000 - Salute to Artist" opens May 1, at the Central Bank Gallery, Frederick Street in Nassau and runs to May 19th, 2000.
As an added viewing interest, poems by renowned Bahamian Poet Michael Obediah Smith will be on exhibit. On May 5th, at a gala reception, Mr. Smith will give a recital of some of his well known verses. "It is very important that we as people connect with one another in the area of Art and support is so vital, as this exhibition is really about communication and information," said Mr. Roberts.
Antonius Roberts was born in Nassau. He studied at the Philadelphia College of Art and obtained a Bachelor of Art Degree in Fine Art.
He was also awarded the prestigious 'Bocour Prize' for painting. Antonius has participated significantly in the development of Art Education in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and National Art Gallery/Museum programs.
He has also taught art at the high school and college levels in the Bahamas' educational system for over eighteen years. A veteran of many one-man's Art Exhibitions and numerous group shows including "Emerging Artists in the Caribbean," held in Nagoya, Japan, his work received notable acclaim. He also exhibited well-received works at the Bienal International de Sao Paulo, Brazil.
His work is globally represented in private collections in Europe, the United States, Japan, South Africa, Canada, South America, the Caribbean and The Bahamas.
He is a recipient of a Commonwealth of The Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to national development of Art in the Bahamian Nation.
Antonius, on his impending exhibition said, "My ancestors believed that the tree is regarded as the home of a spirit which needs to be placated... I feel driven to explore this aspect of my African heritage, in hopes of understanding more about my place in this universe."
On support for art, he said, "Funding of Bahamian Art needs more support from Bahamians. However, there are committed exceptions. I am very grateful to Sunshine Insurance and Arawak Homes' Board Chairman Mr. Franklyn Wilson, for generous support to the upcoming Connection 2000 - Salute to Artists."
(This exhibition of sculptures and paintings by Antonius Roberts.)
He is looking forward to this (first in two years) exhibition of some of his works.
He did not want to seem to overstate the case, but reiterated a profound sense of gratitude to Arawak Homes and Sunshine Insurance, in the person of Chairman Franklyn Wilson for sponsoring, in part, the upcoming event.
He believes that this is the kind of encouragement that the Arts need to continue to do what they indeed do, and that these things cannot be accomplished alone.
Immediately after the opening of this exhibition, Antonius Roberts travels to providence Rhode Island U.S.A. to be honoured as a visiting Artist of international works. Whilst there he will present a lecture to the college's Alumni and student body.
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