Artists Reveal Their Process at Earth, Water and Skin Reception
Three Caribbean woman artists sat before an intimate audience at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum on the evening of April 20th, 2023 to share their thoughts and reflections on the work they were showing in the museum’s fine art gallery. The exhibition, called Earth, Water and Skin, has been on display since the museum’s April 8th reopening, and showcases their stunning and thought-provoking work in mixed media, acrylic and charcoal.
As part of the ?Warrior Women of Social Justice? exhibit and event series presented by Island SPACE, Michelle Drummond and Krystle Sabdul of Jamaica, and Sonia Sanchez Arias of Trinidad are exhibiting collections of their work that reflect social issues facing Caribbean and American communities. The event series is made possible by the following funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Jack Belt Memorial Fund, Ginny and Tom Miller Fund, Stearns Weaver Miller Fund for the Arts, Harold D. Franks Fund.
After a reception where artists and guests mingled together, the ladies sat for a panel style talk hosted by Juli-Anne Lee of the Truly Juli Experience. They spoke about the inspiration behind their works, their creation processes and the impact they want to have on the people who interact with their art.
Drummond, a textile artist who creates relief pieces out of yarn, paint and canvas using a proprietary method, shared, “The evolution of her work correlates to her risk-taking tenacity and fearlessness to accept challenges that push the boundaries of her artistry while remaining authentic to her dexterity.?
Sanchez Arias spoke about her duty to the planet and her origins creating art out of recycled and found materials. “All of my art pieces are the result of manipulating or rearranging used and discarded materials. These repurposed materials give my art a strong identity with unique characteristics effectively making each piece distinct and unique.”
Sabdul reflected on the one art class she had had in her life, and the connection she had with brown faces. Her color choices exude vibrancy ? a true reflection of my Jamaican culture? and relays the passion and the inner strength of her subjects. Especially touching was her comment that, in looking for beautiful children’s faces in an online search, no brown faces were delivered by Google.
These artists all shared an appreciation for the beauty of people of color, because, they said, it reflects where they came from and what their personal tastes and aesthetics are.
Earth, Water and Skin remains on show at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum through Sunday, May 14, 2023. Access to the gallery is included with museum general admission of $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Sobre Island SPACE
Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education (Island SPACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of arts, culture, history, and educational initiatives that represent the Caribbean region, in South Florida and the broader diaspora.
The public is invited to visit the museum Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General museum entry is $10 per adult and $5 per child. Visit islandspacefl.org to learn more.
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