Above: Nadia Huggins, Pulling the net, Roseau Valley, St Lucia. 2011.
1-54 Presents is thrilled to announce “Transatlantic Connections: Caribbean Narratives in Contemporary Art,” a compelling group exhibition set to captivate art enthusiasts. Hosted at Christie’s, London, from October 10 to 13, 2023, this exhibition is the second offering from 1-54 Presents, a dynamic program of pop-up exhibitions initiated by the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair.
Curated to perfection, “Transatlantic Connections” brings together a diverse selection of works by Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora artists. These pieces explore cultural commonalities that transcend generations and geographic boundaries, offering viewers a profound artistic journey. Featured artists include luminaries such as Juan Carlos Alom, Sonia Elizabeth Barrett, Sonia Boyce, Helen Cammock, Michael Forbes, Satch Hoyt, Nadia Huggins, Alain Joséphine, Anina Major, Marcia Michael, Johanna Mirabel, Lavar Munroe, Zak Ové, Horace Ové, Ada M. Patterson, Sheena Rose, Jamilah Sabur, Charmaine Watkiss, Alberta Whittle, and Aubrey Williams.
The exhibition encompasses a wide array of artistic mediums, including painting, photography, installation, and sculpture. Rooted in the visionary concepts of twentieth-century Martinican intellectual Aimé Césaire’s Négritude and Edouard Glissant’s theory of The Rhizome, “Transatlantic Connections” pays homage to the shared identity, consciousness, and culture among black peoples. While the aesthetics vary, the exhibition beautifully weaves together the diverse creative practices, experiences, and narratives found throughout the Caribbean and its diaspora.
Aubrey Williams’ assertive abstract oil paintings stand in stark contrast to Charmaine Watkiss’s delicate figurative illustrations, which, in turn, contrast with Michael Forbes’ digital photographic works. Yet, beneath these surface differences, “Transatlantic Connections” reveals numerous thematic links. The exhibition frequently explores themes of heritage, migration, and the intersections of diverse cultures. Whether in Alberta Whittle’s thought-provoking piece “Today, I have left my armor at home” or Anina Major’s ceramic creation “Ruby’s Easter Hat,” many of the artists grapple with the unique challenges inherent in presenting art from the incredibly diverse Caribbean region.
Diasporic identity is another prevailing theme throughout the exhibition. Described by Jamaican-British cultural theorist Stuart Hall as “constructed across different, often intersecting and antagonistic, discourses, practices, and positions,” diasporic identity is portrayed as multifaceted and ever-evolving. This concept visually unfolds in the all-encompassing compositions of Alain Joséphine and Satch Hoyt and takes conceptual form in the works of Jamilah Sabur and Johanna Mirabel, who capture the complex dynamics of living between two cultures through intimate scenes of domestic life.
“Transatlantic Connections: Caribbean Narratives in Contemporary Art” offers a unique opportunity to engage with a diverse range of artworks, showcasing some of the most exciting modern and contemporary Caribbean artists from the past five decades. In this exhibition, falling within the 75th anniversary year of the MV Empire Windrush’s arrival in the UK, “Transatlantic Connections” shines a spotlight on and celebrates the profound contributions of Afro-Caribbean artists to the cultural tapestry of their adopted homelands and the wider world. This thought-provoking exhibition promises to be a must-see event, inviting viewers to explore the rich narratives and artistic expressions that transcend borders and generations.
For more information and updates on “Transatlantic Connections: Caribbean Narratives in Contemporary Art,” please visit 1-54 Presents.
