Small Island ArtSmall Island Art

Potential UntappedPotential Untapped

Susan MainsSusan Mains

Copyright Susan Mains 2005 Do not reproduce without express permission

IXth Interdisciplinary Congress of the Society for Caribbean ResearchDepartment of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna Austria., December1-4 2005

Caribbean Art by Veerle Poupeye

Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada

St. Vincent

•History

•Language

•Style of Government

•Currency

•Political Associations

Definition of Contemporary ArtArt that benefits from Institutional Support

Exhibition—National International

Critical Discourse--

Art that reflects the here and now, regardless of its positioning in the western political art hierarchy

Barriers

•Limited Art Education

•Art Considered a subject for low ability students

•Material resources limited or non-existent

•Not endowed with national appreciation for art—no monuments or art in public places

•No Art Schools

•No Museums

•Artist themselves stereotyped as “crazy people”

•Natural disasters disrupt life and work

Steps to “Success”

•Independent Work

•Gallery

•Residency

•Art Fair

•Collected by Important Collector

•Collected by International Museum

Validation Process

It is a seal of approval from the world of art on their creative process.

The documentation of the art and the artist leaves a legacy for generations who follow.

It has the potential to shape a national consciousness for their country.

More Barriers

•Misconceptions of Caribbean Art

•Only Naïve or Intuitive

•“Haitian” label given to all

•Even Islands with Institutional structures suffer

•Tensions because of “Expatriate” artists

First World Gallery

•Casual Buyer—Nice picture for above the sofa—must match•Collector

•Art is an investment

•Researches the Artist

•Who else has bought his work

•Where has he been exhibited

•Will the work hold its value

•Will the artist continue to produce

This conscious behaviour not seen in buyers of Caribbean Art

•“Caribbean” label causes consumer to stereotype the work

•Lack of Documentation of work

•Too few Caribbean art writers and critics

•Expensive for artists to hire freelance writers

Work of the Caribbean has not been embraced by the mainstream at international art fairs, so no precedent for the value of the work.

Art Basel Miami Gallery Distribution

USA Canada, 41

Europe, 49

Latin America, 7

And one gallery from the African Continent

195 Galleries from 30 countries

Art Miami 2006

Diaspora Vibe Gallery included on the strength of its artists.

The Escape

•Galleries bow to the popular so they can survive

•Artist turn their backs on their identity

•Everyone loses

Steve McQueen wins Turner Prize 1999

I don't feel a part of it at all.

I don't feel a part of it at all.

I don't feel a part of it

at all.

I don't f

eel a part of it

at all.

I don't feel a part of it at all. I don't

feel a part

of it

at all.

I do

n't fee

l a

part

of it

at a

ll.

I don't feel a part of it

at all.

I don't feel a part of it at all.

I don

't feel a

part o

f it at a

ll.

I don't feel a part of it

at all.

I don't feel a part of it

at all.

I don't feel a part of it at all.

I don't feel a part of it

at all. I don't feel a part of it at all.

I don't feel a part of it at all.

Latin Success

•Government and Institutional Support for Artists

•Art a part of the school curriculum

•Years of documentation

•Islands have benefited by association with larger countries

Art Auction at Christy’s November 2005

Fernando BoteroJunta Militar 1973 Oil on canvas. 92 x 76.1/2 in. Expected $750,000-950,000

Rufino Tamayo, Girl with Yellow Flowers (Muchacha con flores). 1946, Oil on canvas. 44 x 34 in. Expected $600,000-800,000

Wifredo Lam Habana. 1944, Oil on paper laid down on canvas37 x 28.1/2 in. $250,000-350,000.

DominicaEarl

Etienne

Contemporary Artists of the Small English Speaking Caribbean

“Papa Bois”

DominicaEllingworth Moses

St. LuicaArnold Toulon

AntiguaHeather Doram

St. VincentCaroline Sardine

GrenadaRichard Buchanan

Lyndon Bedeau

Suelin Low Chew Tung

Brian Bullen

Oliver Benoit

Susan Mains

Camille Pissaro

Pablo Picasso

Wilfredo Lam

You can give us documentation

“If you are the big tree We are the small axe Ready to cut you downWell sharp, to cut you down.”

“Bob”