THINGS THAT MATTER: Independence and our Explosion of Fine Art
“Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of the soul.” (Somerset Maugham)
“Soul of a Nation: Art …”
Independence in 1966 was a watershed for many things – not just political, but educational and the University’s development, manufacturing (sadly in the doldrums in the last decade), health care (still a way to go) and what I call the explosion of fine art. Barbados did not have a long and hallowed tradition of fine art. There are of course some important works in the Cunard Gallery at the Barbados Museum, such as the amazingly detailed A Prospect of Bridgetown in Barbados by Samuel Copen (!693) and the impressive painting of Governor Robinson going to church (circa 1742) by an unknown artist. And the greatest of all paintings in the island is the altar painting in St. George’s Parish Church: “Rise to Power”, often called “the Resurrection”, by Benjamin West, President of the Royal Academy.
The earliest known “home-grown” Bajan painters were the Victorian water-colourists Samuel Poyer and his wife Carolyn. By the mid-20th century a few schools actually had art teachers – Golde White at Codrington High School, Briggs Clarke at Harrison College, Kathleen Hawkins at Queen’s College and Karl Broodhagen (painter and sculptor) at Combermere. But other schools, including The Lodge, regarded art as irrelevant. Felix Haynes, Ivan Payne, Francis Griffith and Aileen Hamilton more or less completed the local circle of serious pioneer artists, while Fela de Kuh (Austrian), Robert McCleod (American) and Hector Whistler (English) brought their own splendid skills and style, but there was no sense of promotion or celebration of art, and most of these pioneers worked in isolation.
But since Independence there’s been what I’ve called “The Explosion of Fine Art”. Five major catalysts for this have been the Barbados Arts Council and its Pelican Gallery, the Fine Arts Department of the Barbados Community College, the National Cultural Foundation, led by Director Elombe Mottley, the hosting of CARIFESTA in 1981, and the work of the Art Collection Foundation, with its annual Purchase Awards exhibitions. Early dialogue between Elombe Mottley and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Sonis led to the formation of the Art Collection Foundation, with the Sonises as Honorary Patrons, and eventually the Barbados National Gallery of Art Committee (legislation in 2007).
The Queen’s Park Gallery has been an important gallery, providing an impressive space for major shows, but private galleries have played important roles. DEPAM, the People’s Art Movement, led by Omowale Stewart, had a vibrant life while it lasted, while the Barbados Arts Council and its Gallery at Pelican Village have been “nurturing artistic expression” since December 6th, 1957.
This dramatic growth of art and artists has been beautifully documented by Corrie Scott and Kathy Yearwood in the online Arts Directory Barbados. But in spite of the failure of government to progress things, we had a fabulous event in 2016 with the first ever truly major exhibition of contemporary work in one place, in the 50th Anniversary of Independence exhibition WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE at Manor Lodge, Green Hill / Warrens. It was the most comprehensive art exhibition ever seen in Barbados, featuring 94 artists and over 300 works. The space was kindly provided by the Elcock family in celebration of our 50th Anniversary, and the exhibition was curated by artist Oneka Small; what a wonderful job she did.
One room showed the pioneers – Golde White, Kathleen Hawkins, Aileen Hamilton, Robert McCleod and Karl Broodhagen, and the recently departed Bill Grace. Everything else was work of currently practising artists, forming an over-whelming display of painting in every medium, sculpture, ceramics, weaving, assemblages, photography and some jewellery.
The exhibition eloquently expressed the range and quality of art that’s been seen in Barbados since Independence, yet there was no place for it in the official Golden Jubilee celebrations. It had been hoped, indeed expected, that our promised National Art Gallery at Block A the Garrison would be on stream for the Independence celebrations. Alas, no such luck.
Art is “the soul of a nation”, as indicated so magnificently in the exhibition “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power (1963 – 1983)”. That amazing, powerful exhibition created waves across the world. Indeed, if you google it, you will find there are more than six million items related to it! One reviewer wrote: “There is a fire, a fury, an intensity that shifts restlessly within each work, with an eloquence that is direct and unyielding, relentless in its uncompromising visage – and a tone that is unapologetic politically and culturally”.
Here in the Caribbean we have the inspiring example of Jamaica, where the promotion of art – from the naïve to the most brilliant creative work of Edna Manley, Barry Watson and other Jamaican “greats” – is a source of enormous national pride and productivity, and their National Gallery is a “Must visit” for everyone. Art in Barbados, on the other hand, very much like specialty services in the medical field, has been left to the initiative of passionate patriots with a love for art and a commitment to development.
The post-Independence movement and the immense efforts of so many people will hopefully pay off in the near future. My column of last week has elicited numerous letters, emails and phone calls of support, from artists and others. It’s time for the plans inherent in the 2007 Art Gallery legislation to be progressed apace! Our art is “the soul of our nation” and an eloquent expression of our pride, industry and independence, which is why I’ve elaborated on it for my Independence column.
Bouquet: To the amazing swimmer Cameron Bellamy – a determined champion with a Barbadian name – on his successful swim around Barbados.
On November 13 he completed a 96.4 km swim around the island in 49 hours, 43 minutes. He thus joined the famous 24 Hour Club of extreme swimmers and created a unique record. I hope his feat will reach the Guinness Book of Records, and organisers will promote this swim as one of the world’s most difficult challenges, to be tackled by others, with appropriate fame and fanfare for Barbados.
Invitation: To a Fabulous First – The inaugural Barbados Heritage Fair on Independence Day, November 30, 2018, at Tyrol Cot Heritage Village, Codrington Hill. This is an event mounted in commitment to Bajan heritage, legacy, and environmental sustainability by the Future Centre Trust. There will be a host of traditional Bajan foods and beverages, cultural displays, ‘How To’ environmental talks and demonstrations, a Bajan fashion show, kids’ zone, a Domino Tournament, all-day entertainment, music, tuk-band and Mudda Sally. It will be the most talked about event for Independence Day!
(Professor Fraser is past Dean of Medical Sciences, UWI, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and President Emeritus of the Barbados National Trust. Website: profhenryfraser.com)