The Chinese will soon usher in the Year of the Rabbit for 2011. And it was shortly after 2010 began that they had in place at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre an impressive showing of Western-style watercolours. So maybe we can look forward to another exquisite collection within this New Year?
Standing out locally this year in the visual arts, female artists kept popping up, like Alberta Whittle with Papa’s Got A Brand New Funk at the Bridgetown Gallery and Janice Brock, all serene with Call Of The Ocean at the Gallery of Caribbean Art.
In April artist/musician/composer Aubrey Cummings passed away. His people pieces had a mark all their own and his music never lacked heart.
In June artist Alison Chapman-Andrews revealed via a show at Queen’s Park Gallery her collection of other artists.
And then came the Centennial celebration of Caribbean master Karl Broodhagen, who would have turned 101 on July 4. All organised at Queen’s Park by the National Art Gallery Committee and the National Cultural Foundation – his works and photographs of life and times made it one of this year’s most popular exhibitions.
Another outstanding show arrived with the Surinamese in the Colourful Friendship exhibition in October.
Also the month for the writing talent of the late Timothy Callender to find its way onto the Frank Collymore Hall stage via the combined force of some of his tales woven into a scintillating production with theatre folk like Alison Sealy-Smith, Nala, Patrick Foster and the exceptional set designs of Leandro Soto. Timothy would have loved it, I’m sure.
Lilian Sten-Nicholson’s remarkable retrospective On The Wings Of Morning claimed November for its own . . . . Many powerful pieces, but for me her Pan Master takes the prize.
In December, enter possibly one of the most successful art shows of the year: the 40th annual father/son exhibition, the Broodhagens – Karl & Virgil, at the Main Guard, the Garrison. Followed later by the Speightstown success of Nakazzi Hutchinson in Reflections at the Gallery of Caribbean Art, certainly one to keep on watching.
Right now at Aweipo,The Crane, an all-female cast of 15 artists vie for your attention.
