Bahamian Artists Participate In Cuba-Bahamas Cultural Exchange

By in News on February 28, 2013

Cuba and The Bahamas share a common cultural and geographic space. Characteristics that goes back to the prehistory of both archipelagos. Our entrance to written history on the deck of Colombus’ ships only have days of difference.

The annihilation of native populations, the Spanish colonization, and the African population forced dislodgment are historical causes that condition the cultural community we share. Only the small detail of having different metropolis thwarted a communication that should have been natural as in the time of Arawak navigators.

The exhibition seeks to contribute to our cultures’ mutual rapprochement, to our identities acknowledgment, to the formation of our people’s unity that constitutes our only cultural future survival guaranty in times of homogenizing globalization.

Larios studio-gallery hosts one of the featured exhibitions and has much in common with Bahamian and participating artist Antonius Roberts’ studio-gallery – Hillside House. Both are 19th century historical buildings housing art creation. Both Larios and Roberts restored and adapted their building but preserved its original integrity.

Both Larios’ and Roberts’ rehabilitation was supported by institutional sponsors and artists’ work. The community of origins, intentions and collaborative culture of is an essential foundation for future joint actions. A route begins with this present exhibition.

In this exhibition, Antonius Roberts’ work deals with ecology and personifications of natural forces inspired in mythological figures of African origins. He is also interested in Bahamian history preservation. He frequently uses recycled material rescued from ancient buildings restorations to recreate aspects of historical sites.

Also participating are Bahamian artists Heino Schmid and John Cox. Heino’s work depicts a representation of Bahamian common life legitimizing it from the academic school codes tempered with expressionist gestures.

John’s featured piece “This is how much I love you” was the singular piece showcased in the Vicentina’s de la Torre Academy of Arts Gallery.

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