NATIONAL ART GALLERY

National Art Gallery

The material contained in this magazine is protected by copyright and cannot be
reproduced without the consent of the Cultural Division, MInistry ofYouth, Sports,

Culture and Constituency Empowerment, Commonwealth of Dominica.

The Cultural Division would like to thank Mr. Earl Etienne, the Mnister forYouth,
Sports, Culture and Constituency Empowerment Honourable Justina Charles and all

the artist featured in this magazine.

© 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS i NATIONAL ART GALLERY
1 OVERVIEW
Overview of National Art Gallery 2
Earl Darius Etienne 3 The development of the art sector in Dominica has been challenged by the absence of a National Art Gallery.
Alwin Bully 3 As part of its efforts to meet this challenge and to support the development of the art sector in Dominica as a
Darius David 4 whole, the Cultural Division made a section of the Old Mill premises available for art activities, workshops,
6 classes and exhibitions. Its proper use as an art gallery however was inhibited by the fact that the space was
Dr. Lennox Honychurch 6 also used for seminars, social and corporate functions.
Glenford John 7 Over the years, private commercial art galleries were operational and hosted exhibitions of various local and
Eddy John 8 regional artists. Due to economic upheaval globally, the majority of these have gone out of business. Presently
Kelo Royer 9 home studios are used as personal galleries for many local artists making them difficult to access by tourists
9 who wish to purchase art pieces or by students for educational purposes. A central location is thus needed for
Ellingworth Moses 10 the art community where works of all working artists at home and the diaspora can be permanently repre-
Chase Lawrence 11 sented and exposed to school children, art enthusiasts, art collectors and tourists.
Gharan Burton 12 The National Art Gallery provides that central location, that permanent space, for the display of art works,
Aaron Hamilton 13 both art works of tremendous historical or heritage value and contemporary art works by Dominican painters
Arnold Toulon 13 here at home and in the diaspora. It will serve as a home for the National Art Collection.
Carla Armour 14 The National Art Gallery is housed at Old Mill Cultural Centre, a heritage site. Visitors to the Art Gallery have
Lowell Royer 14 the added advantage of visiting the heritage museum housed on the property and see relics of the sugar mill
Hilroy Fingal 15 which dates back to the 1770s, the period of plantation slavery. The pristine surroundings provide also add
Roger Burnett 15 to the visitor experience.
16 The Gallery comprises two floors. The upper floor features a permanent display of art exhibits. The lower
Marie (Bouvet) Frederick 16 floor will feature art exhibitions of a temporary nature and art works available for sale.
Hilary St. Hill 17 The Gallery is curated by well-known Dominican artist Earl Etienne. The National Cultural Council and the
19 Cultural Division are responsible for its management and upkeep.
Christian George
Petros Meaza i
Gareth Harris

Tiffany Burnett- Biscombe
David G. Wilson

Shadrach Burton

Artwork featured in publication 3
Full Flight by Alwin Bully 4
Lonely Man by Darius David
6
Man and his Dog by Kelo Royer
11-12
Dr3mer by OMtNI 19
Sunset in Wotten Waven and West Indies by Shadrach Burton

Artist Profile Artist Profile

Earl Darius Etienne Earl Darius Etienne Is the most recognized and influential of
Dominican artist who was born on February 24th, 1957 in
CURATOR OF THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY Roseau Dominica. He experimented and painted in different
painting styles and exhibited annually before attending the Ja-
“My main goal when creating or executing a project is pleasing myself maica School of Art in 1982 graduating in 1986. Since then he
and I am extremely satisfied when the finish piece talks.” has developed from simple island landscapes to highly sophis-
ticated expressions and techniques and is best known for his
smoke technique and the use of traditional dance and dancers.
His works are influenced by ancestral, cultural, spiritual, social,
physical, economical and other aspects of his environment.

nor what galleries want to sell. Over the years he continues to experiment with recycled ma-
terials, various mediums, layering and splashes of colour that
are deeply appealing. His most recent works utilizes coconut
gouge and pre-Columbian rock carvings.Earl enjoys the phys-
ical process and his creativity comes from the heart and not
fashion. He avoids creating by styles or fads and does not in-
hibit his true feelings at the expense of the gate keepers, critics,

He is a retired senior cultural officer, a coordinator of events, curator, carnival costume designer and builder,
set design and builder, graphic and art consultant and a founding member of various associations related to the
preservation and cultural awareness of historical and architectural heritage. Earl has exhibited extensively and
his collection of work can be found regionally as well as internationally.

Petite Savanne Folk Dancers by Earl Etienne Belé Dancers by
1 Earl Etienne
2

Artist Profile Artist Profile
Darius David
Alwin Bully
Born in Dominica in the year 1928, Darius started artistic activities at the tender age of ten, and was encour-
Alwin Bully’s art has appeared on the Dominican scene in several forms. He has produced and designed aged by the headmaster of his school to continue honing his craft. At the age of 22, he did his first oil painting
costumes for bands, Queen Show Contestants and floats since his teens. Apart from being a playwright, on canvas and he described his painting as outgoing, with a presence of historical subjects such as the Old
director, choreographer and composer he has designed and built the sets for all his plays, along with Hillsborough Bridge, the Dawbiney Market, people in cultural or religious activities and landscapes. Darius
designing the costumes and lighting. At the age of 20 he designed the front façade of the Fatima Church worked through inspiration. In addition to this he said a little prayer before starting each painting, which ex-
at Newtown. In 1978 he designed the National Flag of Dominica and the Sisserou Parrot at the head of plained why his work has had such great success worldwide.
the Parliamentary Mace, and in 1980 the Computer Centre Mural which was the largest and best known Darius was a master of art and one of his notable works is painting which hangs
public work of art in Dominica. in the palace of Queen Elizabeth. The story behind this painting is that the range
His art has always reflected the rugged Dominican landscape, its lush forest and rivers, while the people and measurements for the painting were given to Darius over the telephone.
and their life stories have been a constant theme. He has worked in oils, acrylic, watercolour, charcoal, Using the description he created the painting which was an exact match to the
pastel, pen and ink and pencil. He has done wood carvings and sculptures, and likes landscaping. He has scene described to him. He was able to produce a masterpiece with just words
been quoted as saying that he sees himself as a frustrated architect. and canvas dimensions.
Mr. Bully received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French from the University of the West In 1965 and 1972, he received prizes for his work. Before he passed away he en-
Indies in 1971, after which he taught at the Dominica Grammar School, where he eventually became joyed painting, reading, evening walks, meeting people and making friends. He
the Headmaster. From 1978 – 1987 he served as the Dominica’s Chief Cultural Officer and Chairman was considered by many in the art community and those who knew him as the
of the National Cultural Council. And in 1984 he was awarded the Sisserou Award of Honour from the “Grand Old Man” of Dominican painters.
Government of Dominica for his work in the field of culture. In 1986, Alwin left for Jamaica to take up
a position with UNESCO as Cultural Advisor t3o the Caribbean. Dr. Lennox Honychurch

Dr. Lennox Honychurch was born at Portsmouth, Dominica in 1952. His family’s deep involvement
in art, literature and the natural and traditional History of Dominica has influenced his entire life
and interest.
He does not have any formal training in art except a few art classes while
at school in Barbados. He uses oils, watercolour, pen and ink to create his
artwork which he draws inspiration from artist such as Stephen Haweis and
Percy Agar. The works of these artist he has been exposed to since childhood,
as well historic prints of the Caribbean by Michel Jean Cazabon, a nineteenth
century Trinidadian Artist.
During the late sixties and early seventies he exhibited and sold his art work
at the Green Parrot Restaurant in Roseau. He also painted murals in four
Roman Catholic Churches namely Calisbishie, Castle Bruce, Vielle Case and
Soufriere. Three historic panels at the Fort Shirley Museum, a large mural in
the auditorium at the Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth are also form part of his body of work.
He also illustrated in his publications on Dominica and Caribbean History, and also lends his hand to
illustrate for other publications and has designed costumes for the National Queen Pageant.

4

Artist Profile Glenford John Artist Profile
Ras Eddy John
Glenford John is an accomplished artist who works in a va-
riety of mediums, Glenford presently resides in New Jersey. Born in Roseau in 1952, Eddy John spent his early years under the guidance of his grandfather, a carpenter
Much of his works incorporates his passion for nature and his and craftsman who tried to influence the young artist to pursue a career in woodworking. Not a particularly
love for people. With his unique style, Glen catches the essence dedicated student, John spent his early school days drawing and day dreaming of becoming a famous artist.
of the Caribbean lifestyle, which he grew up in. Born in the At the age of sixteen John was stricken with sickle-cell anaemia, which kept him physically incapacitated for
Island of Dominica, Glen grew surrounded by nature which about five years. He spent much of his time developing his unique artistic style, lying on his bed studying the
influences his art even today. natural movements in nature: trees swaying in the breeze, clouds moving across the sky and the sun setting
on the horizon. The theme of nature greatly influenced his landscape painting.
gallery in Dominica. He has participated in numerous art shows, both local and In 1981 Ras Eddy John moved into his studio in the rain forest near Trafalgar, in the vicinity of one of the
international and continues to do so. Because of his dedication Caribbean’s most beautiful waterfalls. John found his inspiration in the natural beauty of the area, and was
to the arts, Glen was invited by the Government of Dominica one of Dominica’s best known landscape painters.
to teach art in some of the primary schools in his island and John’s first artistic inspiration came from the Catholic Church. Although he claimed to have been influenced
is listed along with other artists in the Dominican book, ‘’Our by works of Michelangelo and other artists of the renaissance period, in his religious paintings one senses an
Island Culture’’. His works are in numerous private collections emotional rather than a technical kinship. In his naïve and intuitive style, John gravitated towards landscapes
in the Caribbean, the USA and Europe. Before immigrating and scenes of village life. His paintings often depicted Dominicans at their best and worst in an attempt to in-
to the United States, Glen owned and operated the only art fluence their actions. These paintings are insightful and humorous. He travelled fairly extensively abroad and
refused to allow the outside world to influence his decidedly Dominican view of what art is and should be.
Life in the U.S was very different for him, but visiting the Art Museums in New York City, gave him the inspira-
tion to continue his career. With that desire to further his skills, Glen enrolled in the Art Student League of New Kelo Royer
York, where he studied. On the invitation by a friend to participate in the Annual Fulton Art Fair in New York
City, Glen entered and won the first place award and prize. He continued participating in many exhibitions, and Born in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, in 1953, Kelo was determined to be a painter from the age of eight
it was at the Castillo Gallery in New York City, at one of his showings, that Glen was interviewed by Gentle Ben when he made his first brush from coconut fibre and used the juice of the crushed flowers for colour. He has
of GBTV program ‘’Culture Share’’. It was a Caribbean cultural show, where his art soon became the background received no formal training in art and learned to paint by drawing on nature for his inspiration, as well as for
design for the program. his materials. One of his favourite places to paint has always been Casso, an area of natural beauty with very
few man-made distractions. Kelo would leave Roseau early, before sunrise, so as to walk the two mile track
He continued showing various art shows in New York, Miami and the Caribbean. His deep love of nature is evi- to Casso and capture The luminous effects of the sun rising over the mountains in his paintings.
dent in most of his works. Glen often says ‘’despite what goes on in our lives, we just have to look around us and Kelo, a Rastafarian says “I think my work was stimulated by my way of life
see the wonders that the creator have given us’’. He believes that if we just take some time out of our busy lives and later by the work of Picasso,” crediting Picasso’s African inspired prim-
and pause to enjoy nature, our lives will be more fulfilled. itive works as having a great influence upon his own work. Fellow artist
Omowale Stewart of Barbados, described Kelo as a prolific painter whose
Anthirium Splendor by Glenford John bold, effective brush strokes gives one a sense of creation in action. His use
of line and texture, as well as the abstract primitive quality of his work make
Plantation Dream by Glenford John them unique and set them apart from the other contemporary Dominican
5 paintings.

6

Artist Profile Artist Profile

Ellingworth Moses Dominica’s History by Chase Lawrence

Ellingworth Moses was born in Petite Savanne Dominica, now residing at Stowe, a Chase Lawrence
small village near Grand Bay. He graduated from High school in 1992 receiving the
Artist of the Year Award and he continued to receive rewards and accolades includ- Chase Lawrence is from the Village of Calibishie. He comes from a family with a tradition of working with
ing a National Special Recognition Award in 2004 for his work and his contribution their hands, his father is a Tailor, electrician, plumber, artist, contractor, farmer, joiner; a jack of all trades.
toward the development of art in Dominica. He has always been really fascinated by his father painting pictures in his spare time. From a very young
During the early years of his career he painted mainly in a realistic form that depicts age he would sit and look at him make his frames, stretch his canvas and then apply paint with his brushes.
the typical country life where he was raised. Over time, his need for self-expression He does not have formal training in Art except for critics and suggestions from his father.
required new outlets, working with any medium that would inspire and this is very He worked previously at Paramount printers as a Graphic Designer/ Layout Artist, while he enjoyed that
evident by the wide variety of work that he produces. Moses always dreamed of being an artist and committed to job and was very good at it, he always wanted to be in control of his career and earnings so he resigned
this profession by the age of eighteen. Always inspired by subjects from nature and their response to light Moses’ after a little over two years and opened an Art Gallery.
work continues to thrill his viewers. Today he is the proud owner of Island Art Gallery in his community. He provides an alternative form of
“I do not believe in human inequality. I believe that we are all people regardless of our nationality, color, creed, or entertainment to tourists and villagers alike, as his Gallery remains open to the public even after ‘normal
culture. We are one. This is what I am trying to portray in my work.” working hours’. He has built a good relationship with the hoteliers of his community to ensure that their
Keeping close to his “One Love” philosophy of life, his recent introduction of the use of thread as a medium has guests get a full village experience. He also provides art classes to a few young boys in his village to help
special meaning. “Thread is used to tie or sew things together, hence I use it in my work to bind my subjects (peo- keep them off the streets and he is working towards having art classes to cater for any number of children
ple with people, people with their surroundings). “This is how I think life was meant to be as people living in a that are interested.
world where race, religion, class and political parties do not divide us, but rather a world where we are all brothers While he would not say that he has a definite ‘style’ of painting, as he has only been painting seriously for
and sisters.” the last four (5) years, but he has been dabbling in here and there for as long as he could remember. He is
Ellingworth Moses is a prolific professional with a dynamic style that continues to evolve. very eclectic at least for now with his subject choice for painting. He does portraits as well as sea and land-
scapes, animals, birds, abstracts and houses. He thinks that his color choice makes him unique in that he
Layou River by Ellingworth Moses Untitled by Ellingworth Moses chooses bright strong vibrant colors and a very raw and basic palette to express himself on the canvas.
7
8

Artist Profile Artist Profile

Gharan Burton is an academically trained artist who resides in the United Arnold Toulon
States most of the year but spends winter months in the Caribbean. Born
and raised in Dominica, Gharan attended college in the United States where Born in Roseau in 1962, Arnold’s interest in art was evident from his childhood. His father Francis Toulon was
his studies focused mostly on painting and sculpture. He enjoys painting the an artist and craftsman who was very supportive of his endeavours. As a child Toulon preferred the countryside
figure, still lives, landscapes and abstract experimental works. Vibrant col- to the city, and would spend his summers at New Florida Estate, where he would spend hours watching his cous-
ors inspired by his island upbringing, dominate Gharan’s paintings. He also in artist Carl Winston, at work on his large surrealistic paintings. This experience and the fact that his parent’s
employs various techniques of pigment application and layering in order to encouraged his creativity lead Toulon to decide on a career in art from the early age of seven.
create texture in his work. His first works were based on his dreams and visions and were executed in a surrealist style influenced by his
A true renaissance man at heart, Gharan is also currently a landscaper, in elder brother Paul, and Carl Winston. During his school days much of time was spent drawing. It was at this
the upstate New York region of Plattsburgh. A strong connection to the land time he began to study art history, reading any books he could get his hands on. His favourite were books on
has also inspired Gharan to embark on a cocoa project, to grow cocoa on impressionist and modern abstract art. Toulon graduated from the Jamaica School of Art in 1986 and migrated
family land in order to someday start a chocolate business. Gharan’s sculp- to St. Lucia in 1993 where he continues to do his art work.
tures range from very small table top pieces and wall hangings to large scale
outdoor works. Whether landscaping or planting fields of cocoa in Dominica Major Solo Exhibitions, Haus
the artist’s eye and hand are ever present in Gharan’s work. ----- 2000-Trinidad, Hilton Hotel “CLICO
Dominica, CALENDER”.
Aaron Hamilton Martinique 2000-present Inner Gallery.
St. Croix St. Lucia.
Aaron. H. Hamilton is an artist who is native to the island of Domi- Antigua RECENT
nica. Mr. Hamilton uses a variety of media, including, pastel, pencil, Grenada ~~~~~~~~~~
acrylic and watercolour to illustrate the natural and material aspects St. Lucia. 2016-St.Lucia,
of the landscape and culture of Dominica. Mr. Hamilton considers ------------------------- Featured Artist,
himself to be a naturalist with no former training in the arts. His Major Group Exhibitions: Emancipation Art Exhibition.
artwork can be seen at the Old Mill Cultural Centre’s Art Gallery as 1985-Havard University, Boston Mas- 2016-ART VILLAGE, St. Lucia Jazz
well as on Fine Art America.com. He has illustrated ‘Timtim Glo sachusetts. and Arts Festival.
Doubout..’, ‘Mi Bredeks!’, ‘Ti Tistwe Donmnik’ and ‘mwe se Donmnik’, 1986-Mutual Life Gallery, Jamaica. -----------------
compilation of creole expression, short stories and riddles, as well 1987-Aquarella Galleries, Trinidad. 1999 to present,
as publications of Dominica’s Konmite Pou E’tid Kwe’yo’l (KEK) . 1988-Artsibit Gallery St. Lucia. Anse Chastenet Hotels and Jade
Mr. Hamilton is also an up and coming poet and musician with original compositions and loves the vari- 1989-Geneva, Switzerland. Mountain, resorts.
ous stages of the arts. His aim is to develop the arts so his people can have a deeper appreciation of it. 1993-5-INDIGO Art Festival, Guade- St. Lucia.
loupe.
9 1995-Paris-”Le Genie Creole” (Hosted
by Madame Mitterand).
1997-Cuba,”Caribe’y Suecia” (Casa de
Las Americas.
1997-Sweden, Stockholm. Kunstfak.
1998-Mutual Life Art Gallery, Jamai-
ca.
1999-Vienna, Austria at the Atelier

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Artist Profile Artist Profile
Carla Armour
“Pause and soak in the beauty that’s all around you.”
Carla Armour is a visual artist currently living
in Brighton. After graduating Parsons School of Lowell Royer
Design (NYC) in the 80’s she returned to her Ca-
ribbean island, Dominica where she immersed Lowell Royer is a visual communicator represented by his artist name OMtNI
herself in the islands art scene finding her mes- (silent ‘t’). Being a polymath, He enjoy working on various surfaces like paper,
sage through abstract symbolism in mixed media canvas, wood, skin and even concrete. With a style dubbed ‘Dramatic Realism’,
paintings, fashion, conceptual and installation art, he showcases his love for nature with exaggerated effects to bring out the features
poetry and spoken word performances. that strike him the most.
Armour continues to work within her Lifelines Birds are his favorite subjects and he loves how they express themselves with
series; employing tribal symbols and prehistor- their feathers and body language. This works well since he studied Illustration at
ic glyph mages and markings. Her current work the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, in Jamaica, which
‘Resonance’, explores the use of ritual elements and sacred spaces and objects to showed him the ways of visual story telling. Therefore, most of his creative work
imbed messages into her pieces. She has participated in shows and exhibitions stem from a deep conceptualization which is also why they contain fantasy ele-
over the years in the Caribbean, US, Europe and Namibia, some of which in- ments.
cluded the International Art Project ‘Women of the World, a global collection of The name OMtNI was derived from the omni in words like omniscient, omni-
Art’, submissions and readings for Literary Festivals, an International Artist Ex- present and omnivore, which means all of whatever it comes before. However,
change, ‘Carambolage’ with 8 artist from Austria and Dominica. She is current- instead of using ‘omniart’ to represent creative versatility, he used OMNI and
ly participating in ‘Wheel n Come Again’, a dynamic Film and Arts programme placed a sword in the form of a‘t’ in the middle, making it uniquely him.
managed by Legacy Film UK. It brings together 8 black female film programmers He is based in Siboulie, Massacre where he works in his Studio-Gallery ‘SP¡RE’,
and artist working in different media to create new art works in response to the derived from spire: the highpoint of something, and the ‘i’ is represented by an
selected films. inverted exclamation point. Therefore, SP¡RE is the highpoint of his life, for the
“Generally my works is meditative. I want it to be emotive. “ rest of his life. He is currently working on a website omtni.com to showcase his
Artists are often asked to explain what kind of art they do. When she is painting work
or writing it de-pends purely on the medium the message reveals itself. She enjoys
manipulating the words and rhythm, finding the imagery and tempting the sense “I can’t do it, is no excuse, you’ll prove you can when you try and be good at it
to seem taste or feel the patterns in the words which then inspires the visual. She through practice.”
loves the actual act of creation, playing with the mate-rial and the effects she can
produce, working with colour and their meanings, with automatic writing and 12
drawing and the liberating feeling from the first marking to the last. She loves the
freeness of the initial abstract expression while at the same time reducing it down
to lines and shapes and combinations that draw the audience inward.
Carla is inspired to offer a message of solidarity. Her paintings seek to depict
dreamscapes and elements of the female’s life; fragmentation and growth, survival
and sanctity, rituals and the sheer imperishable determination to survive. Their
search for safety and security, respect and recognition. The various scenarios of
women’s roles as mothers, daughters, sisters or matriarchs. On the other side of
the coin the messages speak to the disempowerment and objectification, margin-
alisation and displacement, all demonstrating the need for women to seek out a
place to call ‘Home’. Whether spiritually, physically; geographically or within our
own bodies, we are all seeking that Sacred Space where we find true resonance.

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Artist Profile Artist Profile
Hilroy Fingal Marie (Bouvet) Frederick

Hilroy Fingal was born in Roseau and by the encouragement of his mother began drawing at the early age of 4. Marie (Bouvet) Frederick was born in Deauville, Normandy. After a brief period
At the age of 21 he returned to Dominica after completing his studies in the United States, it was then that he studying at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Rouen and Paris, she travelled extensively
began to hone and develop his skill professionally. throughout Europe and North Africa where she began to develop her own ex-
Hilroy does not limit himself to canvas paintings but extends his creativity to designing and uplifting simple pressive style.
bottles and vases to create splendid works of art that can be used as household decorative pieces along with lo- Marie came to the West Indies in 1984 falling in love with the raw beauty of
cal materials like bamboo, wood and calabash gourd. His versatility is also captured in his charcoal and pencil Dominica, a ‘garden of Eden’. She married Clem, a man of the soil who is also an
drawings, jewellery, lampshades and decorated holders. He also uses his skills in designing and hand painting artist, working with wood and stone. Together with their son Isaiah, they have
clothing and costumes, with one of his designs being worn by Miss Dominica 2007 Leandra Lander at the Miss made their home and studio near the village of Borne, creating an extraordinary
Mash International Pageant in 2005. retreat carved out of an untouched forest.
In article on Island Artists written by Celia Sorhaindo she had this to say Marie specializes in pen and ink, watercolour, acrylic and oil pastels. She finds
about Hilroy’s Art, “Impressive colourful works of art, many are extremely inspiration in the rhythms of Dominica’s seductive environments -the old shin-
symbolic, spiritual and very detailed. One glance is never enough to fully gle homes, rum shops, full moon in the bush and the intensity of a natural world that is larger than life.
appreciate the depth of his work. You are enticed by huge haunting eyes of
the girl in “Rainbow Country” or made curious by the multi-layered imag- Hilary St. Hill
ery in “Jahko” and “John the Baptist” and are left to draw your own conclu-
sions to the myriad of possible meanings behind each unique piece.” Hilary St. Hill was born in the United Kingdom with her maternal roots in the
Hilroy says he was inspired by work from Vincent Van Gogh and Domini- North eastern community of Marigot. She has had a passion for art from an
can Artist Earl Etienne, and uses elements from his natural surroundings to early age but was never motivated to pursue a career in that field although she
inspire his art. was an exemplary student.
It was never her first choice but has now become her main choice and she has
Roger Burnett come to understand and believe that art is from the Creator and that no one
chooses to be an artist, you are born one and should practice to become a true
Roger Burnett forty-five years ago gave up a secure job in engineering design and artist and live to your full potential. She sees her works of arts as a medium to
converted a derelict coal barge into a home and studio for himself and his first wife and capture and preserve the beauty of God’s work for future generations as God is
one-year-old daughter. He set sail for the French Canal and on the pavements of France, the originator of art.
he declared to himself as being an artist and the pages from his sketchbook would be Hilary’s skills are in canvas paintings, drawings, making and designing cloth-
the means of their survival. His roving painting career gathered momentum and in ing, hand-painting fabric, printing, tie- dyeing, pencil artwork and ceramic
the early 1970’s when he and his family sailed a thirty-foot ketch from England to the painting. Her hand painted fabrics and designed outfits have been worn by
Caribbean. The warmth of the tropics gave his work a new vibrancy and thereafter the local reggae super star Nasio Fontaine.
islands became his adopted home. Her paintings usually focus on everyday scenes in island life and reflect her Rastafarian beliefs of natural living
Roger and wife make a formidable team as she has modelled for many of his paintings and being connected to nature and all living things.
and sculptures and she uses her 20 years of experience in modelling for the arts to guide
potential models for his work and students who are interested in the arts. 14
His studio is located in the lush Antrim Valley on the island of Caribbean island of Dominica.

13

Artist Profile Artist Profile
Christian George Gareth Harris

Christian George “Georgi” emerged as a force in Dominican art in 1977. Born At Pak-’E’s Airbrush Services, Gareth Pak-’E’ Harris offers a wide range
in Fond St. Jean, a small fishing village on the south – east coast of Dominica. of airbrush services. He has extensive experience in airbrushing portraits,
He atended the Point Carib Government School and the Dominica Grammar murals, fabrics ( T-shirts, canvas, shoes), signs, cars, bikes, trucks, helmets,
School. He is called a Primitive Artist; who is self taught and has developed his riffles, etc, and can pretty much airbrush on any surface that paint would
own unique style. adhere to. He also specializes in body painting, with the Mercury Carnival
Christian’s first major work was the stage design for Harlem(Newton) music Band being one of his regular customers.
festival, with Luftus Emmanuel. He then went on to do wall and celing art for Pak-’E’ is a self-taught airbrush artist who got the opportunity to follow his
Dominica’s first discotheque, The Cave and more. He also went to Antigua and passion for airbrushing while in Florida pursuing his Bachelor of Science
painted another disco and did T shirt printing. in Computer Information Systems and Masters of Business Administration
In Dominica he had jobs doing sign paitings for commercial places, and ex- in Human Resource Management during 2001- 2007 at the Saint Thomas
perimenting with house paints on celotex and cloth; did carvings on wood and University in Miami.
soft stone. Pak-’E’ is always excited to take on new challenges, as he sees it as a natural
His first public street art exhibition was held at the Old Market, other exhibitions at the old market; he hosted way of improving his skills, knowledge and experience. He does all of his
other exhibitions at the St. Gerald’s Hall, the St. Martin’s Girl School, the Old Mill, Roseau Public LIbrary, artwork with non-toxic, environmentally friendly, 100% water based paints.
and a major exhibition at the Garrison in Barbados, and the St. Croix Public Library. No job is too big or too small.
He mingrated to the USA; graduated as a nurse; raised a family; and after roughly 22 years of not painting, He also enjoys spending quality time with his family and teaching his children the art of airbrushing.
He is back doing what he loves! He is now reitred and lives in Queens, New York and is a member of the
Long Island Black Artist Association and The Southern Queens Park Association; exhibitions held yearly Tiffany Burnett- Biscombe
throughout Long Island NY.
Georgi is a true D0minican patriot, and reflects that in his work, all about this beautiful island. Tiffany Burnett-Biscombe is inspired by the landscape and beauty of her home island of Domini-ca in the
West Indies. Tiffany has been an artist since childhood, winning the Oates Art Prize while still at school
Petros Meaza in Cornwall, England. In 1998 and 1999, she won the National Independ-ence Drawing Competition
in Dominica. She studied at the London Institute of Art and Design and at the City and Guilds of London
Petros Meaza was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and graduated from the Addis Ababa University in 1997 with Art School. She spent four years as an understudy for the artist Nahem Shoa, both as student and model.
a BFA in Fine Arts and Design. He has worked in Dominica for several years Tiffany has exhibited numerous times at the Old Mill Cultural Centre in Cane-
teaching art in various schools as a Fine Art Instructor as well as a tutor for the field, Dominica, including a solo exhibition in 2006 and a joint exhibition,
Dominica Institute for the Arts. “Daughters of Dominica” with Sari Gi-raud. She has also exhibited in London
His knowledge in the arts has made him a key asset to the Ministry of Education in at Borough Market and at The Type Museum in Stock-well. Tiffany’s work is
Dominica. In 2010 the Commonwealth of Dominica Ministry of Education and currently on display at the Tao Art Gallery in Dominica.
Human Resource Development National Curriculum for Visual and Performing Her paintings appear in collections worldwide. For the last few years Tiffany has
Art was conceptualized and he was part of the team members who developed the run her own art gallery, and expanded into candle making, jewellery, soap and
Art and Craft Curriculum sections for Grade K1, K2, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade body scrubs. Tiffany is passionate about passing on her love of art. For the last
3. In 2013 he was instrumental in the National VPA curriculum development for five years she has taught Summer School and after school classes to Dominicans
secondary schools under Nova Scotia’s Education Export Alliance Consultants in aged four to eighteen. She has also taught adult education ceramic classes at
2013 writing the Fine Art Section. Ross University

“I favor the impressionist style of painting and I consequently use irregular splotches and spontaneous knife and 16
brush strokes. My paintings evoke the spirit of Africa with vivid colors and frequent use of traditional African
symbolism. I enjoy showing movement in my paintings. For instance, some of my art works depict dancers with
energetic and continuous movements.”

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Artist Profile Artist Profile

David G. Wilson

His frequent visits to museums all over the plausibly juxtaposing commonplace objects
USA and more recently London and Paris that reveal, to him, their anthropomorphic
have served as his instructor. David’s predi- characteristics.
lection for visual puns was first kindled by
his late mother, Mrs. Leoma A Wilson,(1911 The influence of European artists, however, is
-2010) when she was teaching his now de- not lost in his endeavor and as Leonardo da
ceased brother, Eddie, and himself to read. Vinci’s instructed, ‘the artist may enhance his
Having asked Eddie to identify the map of It- faculties for creative invention by staring at a
aly, his mom, on realizing that neither could stain on the wall and therein perceive whatev-
answer, then gave an unforgettable hint. She er he wishes to see.’ He has used this technique
said, ‘Italy is kicking to discover what he calls
Sicily’. Later, his de- ‘ mnemonic images’ in
“I am exhausting tremendous efforts in trying to depict a spatial dimension that is inclusive of the third and supported light in the double en- the images that inspire
by a two dimensional surface. It is a dimension that exists somewhere within our three dimensional terrestrial space, tendre lyrics of his life- him.
congruent and mutually inclusive of empirical realities. Its existence is contingent on the shifting retinal impressions of the long calypsonian hero, “Mnemonic images are objects The mantra that he uses
viewer’s perceptions. I call it: ‘Anthropomorphic Alternative Reality.” The Mighty Sparrow, that my mind’s eye perceives to rationalize his ob-
further inflamed his within an image, which are rem-
David Wilson was born in the Caribbean island-nation of The Commonwealth of Dominica. He is an
entirely self-taught artist who has been painting for the past forty-four (44) years, having started his passion for visual and iniscent of aspects of my personal servations is: ‘In every
painting career in his late adolescence in Dominica. He began painting in December, 1972, he was literary puns. But the squiggle, there is an im-
not even able to use a paintbrush, so he painted with match sticks flatted with a razor blade and used final catalyst that ig- life story and are also the compo- age hidden’ these fre-
as a palette knife. Eventually, on observing an itinerant artist from Grenada painting on King’s lane in nited his passion for nent parts of my creations, which quently have personal
front of his aunt, Huguette Giraud’s house, He stopped at Dominica Dispensary (now Jolly Pharma- visual puns was dis- I discover when I scrutinize the significance in his life.
cy) and purchased some brushes and subsequently proceeded to paint with brushes. covering the double
image paintings of contours of a source image.” The ubiquitous ‘hand
of bananas’ is a defer-
On immigrating to the USA in September, 1976, he became enamored with the art museums of the Spanish surrealist ential reference to the
New York City and other east coast cities, he has been tremendously painter, Salvador Dali
inspired to advance his painting career and follow in the footsteps ‘hand that fed’ which is
of the old masters by simply visiting and observing paintings in and readings of Leonardo da Vinci sugges- the hand of his late father Mr. Henzie A. Wil-
museums in every city to which he travels. tin to the artist about enhancing his faculties’ son, who worked for seventeen of David’s for-
through creative invention. That made him mative years within the Banana Industry in
realize that he had found the style in which Dominica.
“My use of inanimate objects to represent he wanted to continue painting. So, he sought
He attended York College, CUNY, from which he graduated the human form is reminiscent of the cruel
with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Class of 1980. In and reductive equation that slavery imposed on to exploit this style to the fullest extent pos- He presently lives in the Jamaica area of
2005, he attended Touro College, graduating with a Mas- my African ancestors, depreciating them, in the sible, hopefully beyond the accomplishment, Queens, New York, with his wife and muse
ter’s degree in Instructional Technology, Class of 2009. eyes of their slave-masters, to the level of mer- in that genre, of even Dalí himself. His style, of thirty-seven (37) years, Yvonne A Cham-
However, as he has done before at the Dominica Grammar chandise; bought and sold on the slave market which he calls ‘Anthropomorphic Alternative bers-Wilson. His works can be found in the
Reality’, seeks to portray alternative realities Dominica National Museum, the and Jolly’s
auction block.” within the human form by strategically and Pharmacy in Dominica.

Sschool in Dominica, before immigrating to the USA, he
continues to teach Spanish and French at a Middle School and
High School in Queens, NY. He shall be retiring from teaching
as of June 28th, 2017.

17 18

Artist Profile

Shadrach Burton

Shadrach Burton is from the scenic community of Wotten Waven and has been producing art since 1994. Al-
though he comes from an artistic family with his father, David Burton and older brother, Gharan both being

artists, Shadrach was mentored by Ellingsworth Moses and Earl Etienne while he attended high school.
After completing his Master’s Degree in Fine Art in Hangzhou ,China, he decided to return to Dominica
after 8 years absent . In 2015 Burton participated in “Art warning the world” representing Dominica which
is a collaborative artwork featuring one artist from every country on the planet. The video which advocates

protection of freedom of expression on a global scale has amassed over 11 million views.
Shadrach currently uses a signature painting style called a “Liquid Fingerprint” and is referred to as one of

the newest faces of abstract realism on the Caribbean art scene.
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