Exhibition of artists’ work takes visitors on emotional trip

The first installation of the Central Bank of Barbados Crop Over Visual Arts 2023 three-part exhibition – We Came on Merchant Ships will end this Thursday.

Produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) the exhibition has been on display at the Queen’s Park Gallery since late May and takes viewers on a trip across the Atlantic to explore the movements of trade and people and delve into the often unspoken histories that have shaped the world today.

Curated to portray the dynamic movements of people and the complex reasons behind them, this exhibition promises to transcend the traditional modalities of historical representation. It delves into the intricate tapestry of migration, trade, and human resilience that have birthed our vibrant Caribbean culture.

Renowned artist, Shane Eastmond, known for his deeply evocative work, anchors the exhibition with his piece Black and White. This stirring masterpiece draws inspiration from a photo taken by Kyle Babb of Eastmond’s childhood friend, and seeks to contrast history’s documentations.

“Black and White focuses on the pain that we have experienced in the past as people and the love we have learnt here in the future,” said Eastmond.

Another key highlight is the abstract work Betrayed, crafted by the multi-talented forensic scientist-turned-visual artist, Sharon Antoinette. This piece presents a heartbreaking story of survival, betrayal, and sacrifice. Two canvases, linked by chains, and layered with keys hidden beneath crosses, evoke the haunting memory of merchant ships crossing the Middle Passage.

One of the pieces by artist Shane Eastmond.

The first Exhibition in the series of three will close this week.

The artist recalled that creating Betrayed was a deeply emotional process for her.

“It was heart-wrenching,” she exclaimed.

Sharon Antoinette explaining one of her pieces.

The piece serves as a stark reminder of the profound pain endured by those who crossed the Middle Passage, many of whom were betrayed by their own for survival.

The second exhibition, We Came on Merchant Ships – Movement, starts next month and promises to be more than an art exhibition, paying tribute to the strength of our ancestors, and sounding a clarion call to remember and learn from history. (PR)