Sometimes life happens to you and you’re so happy you can’t believe it’s real.
I remember the most – well one of the most – traumatic events of my life: choosing secondary school subjects and I was confronted with the choice of Biology or Art. Biology was obviously the safer/ “better” choice (as most Caribbean parents want their children to have illustrious careers in medicine, Law or Engineering) but my love was Art, and I thought I’d die that day if Biology won (at 14 everything is a life or death scenario). I cried my heart out that day, my stomach hurt with the hiccups and all. My mother eventually accepted my choice, I can only imagine she prayed incessantly for my future success with Art and Languages in the mix. The day after, I’d hand in the list of my 8 CXC subjects and Art would be there. That marked the beginning of my love story with creative work: 1995.
Fast forward to 2022 and here I am super-over-the-moon excited to share that in a month’s time I’ll be represented by Calabar Art Gallery, an established, black-woman-owned Gallery run by Atim Annette Oton in New York at the Atlantic World Art Fair, alongside over 100 contemporary artists from the Caribbean! The Atlantic World Fair led by Black Pony Gallery “aims to elevate the conversation on the contemporary art makers in the Caribbean, the Atlantic Islands and the region’s wider diasporas” and will take place at the world’s leading commercial art platform Artsy. Yes! It’s a huge deal.
Note to self: “You don’t know your future self.”
As I write this, I am excited and anxious, but also still in some shock that I really DID get that Art Fair email and it’s happening. First time, and I’m mindful that I may never feel this thrill again. But above all, it’s been a long, long, loo—ong journey.
Truth is – the actual decision to become an Artist, pursue Art as a career, as a profession, literally is the easiest part. Ask any artist who has consistently been making work over a sustained period of time, whether we see the exhibitions or not. What comes next is the real work. The thinking, the research, the observation, the conversations with fellow artists, the community. Then, creating a regular practice for oneself. Making time for Art to happen. Process. It is a struggle. All the while (and for artists globally) thinking about the money. Figuring out a way to stay financially stable while maintaining a regular schedule to create things…
Then, the icing on the cake: Questions! What you are making. Why are you making it? Who is this for? What are you really saying? Wait, why do you feel you need to say these things?!
“Art is the only profession where the intellectual component – the thought process – is as important as the practice.” Rikki Wemega – Kwawu (Ghanian Career contemporary Artist, B.1959 Ghana; Practicing since 1981) said that in an art talk (The State of Black Art in these times, Calabar Gallery Art Talks/ 07032022) I watched a few days ago. Whether people like it or not. Whether people buy it or not. Whether the country you live in values Artists (and art professionals on a whole) or not. One day you really just have to wake up and do your thing. Fearlessly and passionately. And DGAF. There, I said it.
It’s been 2 years since the beginning of a pandemic. I almost feel guilty for saying that I feel proud I made those 2 years count (Imposter syndrome is real). But why should I? I made it to an Art Fair which means that I’ve been working, quietly, slowly, learning as I go. There are folks who understand the importance of Art in our societies, here in the Caribbean and beyond. They are paying attention.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing more via my social platforms (IG & FB). In the meantime, save the date for the Atlantic World Art Fair, from April 20 to May 05, 2022 and show us (yes us, Caribbean island people) some love.
Visit, like and follow @atlanticworldartfair on FB & IG.