Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

The Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI STA) is currently hosting its annual exhibition of the creative work produced by the final year students of the Fine Arts and Design disciplines within the Visual Arts Degree Programme. The exhibition can be viewed until June 29 at the National Museum and Art Gallery of T&T.

In a media release, the University said, “The Visual Arts Degree Curriculum is structured on Art and Design, which emphasises an intra-disciplinary approach to content. Through this Programme, The UWI aims to produce graduates that can function as fine artists, art and cultural critics, art teachers and administrators as well as graduates that are likely to find roles in the design professions, working in the industrial, construction, festive and communicative sectors of the economy.”

The Fine Arts students focused on creating pieces revolving around a philosophical concept, whether personal or existential, using media such as paint on canvas, greyboard, wire and wax. Akilah Gomez used light and paint to explore the concepts of individuality versus collectiveness. Aalleha Le Blanc used layers of wax to demonstrate the inevitable changes and transitions of life. Ancil Boodram used paints to explore the natural world, while Esther Marcano used the natural material of pitch in its three forms of tar, bitumen and asphalt to explore ideas of the human soul, body and spirit. Jay Spencer inspected the transition of possibilites between life and death, while Jeanice Briggs used rope to explore the balance between self-love and self-hate that coexist within. Kenisha Paul’s “Messing with Mummy” investigated her relationship to order and disorder derived from interactions with her mother who suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Krystal Bonair used light, photography and wax paper to explore her fear of water, while Marinna Shareef distorted self-portraits to make visual sense of mania, depression and being medicated. Nicholas Wallen used wire-bending to create shapes reminiscent of origami, while Rachel Gangadeen used rope to portray the heaviness, panic and tightness experienced by persons with anxiety on a daily basis. In Cemented, Shenelle Sahadeo confronted the paranoia and flashbacks which resulted from her life-or-death experience at the hospital, while Shereece Balkran used painting to confront her fears of mortality by portraying death. Sydeney de la Rosa’s collection of wire-sculpted skulls explored the concepts of ego and self-knowledge, and Tristan Edwards’ Facade examined the malleable and fluid landscape of reality which people experience through the omnipresent screens.

The Design students directed the results of their projects towards solving a problem, answering a question, or education. Amina Curvan’s Gingerbread Charm used the gingerbread architecture present in T&T in her furniture creations to provoke discussion about the culture, heritage and history of T&T, while Ananda Poon used melted water bottles to create light fixtures to promote relaxation and raise awareness of plastic pollution. Andrea Gruny’s Tenair created an innovative design for seating at the Piarco International Airport, and Christopher Gonzales created his LORE videogame to introduce and expose young people to the rich folklore of T&T. Emilio Figueroa created signage to be used to educate people on the heritage of T&T, while Jonathan Crevelle created fabric with designs which integrate the culture of Tobago. Leah Clarke’s Teal used recycled materials and fibres to create low environmental impact jewellery and Maya Roberts’ Threadrins incorporated crochet into menswear, in an attempt to de-stigmatise the notion that crochet is inherently feminine. Siobhan Smith created an organic teether which also serves as a baby toy, while T’Sion Wilson’s Tripplesip multi-purpose cup gives users customisability while using one container instead of four. Tenika Samuel created modular multifunctional wooden furniture pieces for persons living in small spaces, while Zara Montoute’s BlueNote copper jewellery line enables wearers to carry money unobtrusively.

The exhibition continues until June 29 at the National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago and can be viewed from Tuesdays to Saturdays between 10 am and 6 pm.