Artists’ work speaks at Crop Over Exhibition

The Central Bank of Barbados Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition — We Came on Merchant Ships, produced by the National Cultural Foundation, is now closed.
 
The exhibition, which opened on Thursday, May 25 to Thursday, June 22, was on display at the Queen’s Park Gallery. The first installation in a series of three exhibitions allowed viewers to traverse the Atlantic, explore the movements of trade and people, and delve into the often-unspoken histories that have shaped the world we live in today.

Imagine embarking on a journey — not merely one of miles, but one spanning centuries, connecting continents, and uniting countless individual stories. On this odyssey, you encountered the indomitable human spirit’s resolve, resilience, and aspiration, overcoming adversity and weaving together a shared history.
 
Curated to portray the dynamic movement of people and the complex reasons behind these movements, this exhibition promised to transcend the traditional modalities of historical representation. It bravely delved into the intricate tapestry of migration, trade, and human resilience that has birthed our vibrant Caribbean culture.

Renowned artist, Shane Eastmond, known for his deeply evocative work, anchored the exhibition with his piece Black and White. This stirring masterpiece drew inspiration from a photo taken by Kyle Babb, Eastmond’s childhood friend, and sought 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.

The artistic work also captured the love and strength that emerged from these trials, shaping our collective present and future.
 
Another key highlight was the abstract work entitled Betrayed, crafted by the multi-talented forensic scientist-turned-visual artist, Sharon Antoinette. This piece presented a heartbreaking story of survival, betrayal, and sacrifice. Two canvases, linked by chains, and layered with keys hidden beneath crosses, evoked the haunting memory of merchant ships crossing the Middle Passage.
 
Creating Betrayed was a deeply emotional process for Antoinette.
 
“It was heart-wrenching,” she exclaimed.
 
The piece served 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 – Memories and Identity, which starts in July promises to be more than an art exhibition. It is a sensory immersion into our collective past, a respectful tribute to the strength of our ancestors, and a clarion call to remember and learn from history. (PR)