by Curlan Campbell
- Theme “Leveraging Caribbean Unity to overcome the challenges of Globalisation”
- Several techniques were used to represent theme including textile art, digital painting and traditional painting
- Afrofuturism art exhibition was part of Marryshow Week celebrations
The TA Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) Art and Design class of 2022 gave art enthusiasts the rare opportunity to reimagine a better future for humanity through the use of visuals that depict Afrofuturism—where science fiction meets social justice reform.
Based on the theme “Leveraging Caribbean Unity to overcome the challenges of Globalisation,” students artistically expressed themes associated with love, imagination, spirituality, physical abuse and depression while shaping their identity through art.
The art exhibition Afrofuturism, was part of the Marryshow Week celebrations held in November where art students were allowed to create artistic expressions that explore issues related to race, gender, class and other social identities.
For example, the artwork put forward by 20-year-old Isaiah Worrington proved that art can be multi-dimensional. Inspired by Belgian artist René Magritte, this 3D digital artist captivated art enthusiasts who viewed his pieces displayed in the art room. Even more impressive was the artwork could be experienced using augmented reality, which was used to combine with his art to give a more immersive experience.
According to Worrington, his art pieces were created using animation software that comes alive using free digital tools such as Artivive. This new technology allows artists to create new dimensions of art by linking classical with digital art. “One of my principal motivations is surrealism. I am also a Christian, so I decided to combine those 2 themes spirituality and Christianity with surrealism and that’s when I began making unique pieces that depict angels, hearts and wings. The programmes I mainly use are KeyShot 3D Cinema 4D Software rendering and animation software where I model original pieces. First, I draw and then sketch them before turning them into 3D.”
19-year-old Nazaar Cobb also gained the attention of viewers whose art pieces explored the depths of human emotions through her portraits that trigger your visual perception through the use of the psychological effects of colour and its link to evoking emotions. She describes herself as a creative person, very outgoing who loves listening to music but admits that her painting represents a very challenging period in her personal life and as a result wanted to convey her experience through her portraits based on the topic of self-identity. Her self-portraits used different forms, lines, shapes, and vibrant colours to express her feelings of depression and anxiety, but at the same time, her unique brush strokes also give the onlooker the feeling of euphoria.
“Every emotion has a colour attached to it, so I wanted colours because the theme I was going for was a personal and emotional effect. My style of painting can be considered an imaginative expression. The main piece is called Nazaar, and the topic was self-identity, so I did this painting using myself as the main subject. At the moment I was going through personal challenges in my life,” Cobb said.
Art student Rhena Jeremiah proved that art can be very therapeutic, especially when applying the right colour to evoke or communicate your emotions. This was clearly illustrated in her piece entitled “Beauty of the Tropics”. Jeremiah’s passion for art grew over time and has become a medium of self-expression through the use of colours and daring to attempt new techniques. Her painting looked at the forms, shapes and vibrant colours of plants painted with acrylic on canvas. Aspiring to become a fashion designer, she hopes to use her painting as prints for fabrics that are personally designed and sewn by herself.
“I loved to explore different textures and colours so I decided to paint flowers from the Caribbean. There are warm and cool colours I like to incorporate into my paintings, plus I like to give my painting texture to have a more realistic feeling. I also design and sew my clothing, so I am thinking that in the future, I can add art to my outfit and have them showcased internationally on catwalks and fashion shows,” she said.
Afrofuturistic techniques used by the students is an artistic movement that dares to imagine a world where people of African descent and their cultures play a central role in the creation of a world free of racism, abuse and prejudice. Several techniques were used to represent the theme including textile art, digital painting and traditional painting such as acrylic and watercolour paintings.
Well done to TAMCC and our budding artists. We wish them well in their future endeavours.