Identity, culture and contemporaneity: A vision from National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v31i1.579Keywords:
Art -- Bahamas, Art history -- Bahamas, Art exhibitions -- BahamasAbstract
Bahamian art is characterized by its colonial past and its decolonial response, something that has evolved over the last 50 years. During the last decade of the 20th century, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) appeared on the scene as a key factor in the growth of the Bahamian artistic environment. NAGB’s development has been fundamental in generating consciousness about the history of visual arts in the country, as well as supporting the work of local artists. One of the most important developments of NAGB has been the National Exhibitions. From the inaugural exhibition in 2003, the National Exhibition has transitioned into a biennial event that gathers artists from across generations, expressing ideas about contemporary Bahamian identity, building a new society and focusing on the development of the artistic community.
References
Bynoe, H. (2018-2019). National exhibition nine: The fruit and the seed [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne9/
Bynoe, H., & Edwards, M. (2014-2015). National exhibition 7: Antillean: an ecology [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne7/
Glinton-Meicholas, P., Huggins, C., & Smith, B. (1992). Bahamian art, 1492-1992. The Counsellors Ltd.
James, E. M. (2003). 1973-2003 Inaugural national exhibition [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne1/
James, E. M. (2008-2009). NE4: Fourth national exhibition 2008. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne4/
Minnis, J., Wright, A., Burnside, S., & Coulson, A. (2016-2017). From Columbus to Junkanoo: an overview of Bahamian history through art. [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. (2025). The history of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas [Website]. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/the-history-of-the-nagb/
Parotti, H. (2010-2011). NE5: National exhibition 2010 2011 [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne5/
Thompson, K. A. (2006). An eye for the tropics: Tourism, photography, and framing the Caribbean picturesque. Duke University Press.
Wood, Y. (2017). Las artes plásticas en el Caribe. Editorial Universitaria Félix Varela.
Works of Art
Beadle, John. (2010). Urban harvest [Sculpture]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
Beadle, John. (2014). Higher goals [Sculpture].
Bey, April. (2014). Conchy Joe [Painting].
Bey, April. (2018). Power girl (Asante Queen) [Textile art].
Bey, April. (2018). Power girl (Incarceration Queen) [Textile art].
Curry, Blue. (2007). Repairwork [Video installation].
Dean, Claudette. (2008). Duality [Painting].
Dean, Claudette. (2010). Non-biodegradable [Painting].
Frorup, Kendra (2018). Inflorescence/Influence [Installation]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
Mackay, Susan. (2006). Society stains-dirty laundry [Collage].
Munroe, Lavar. (2008). Never again shall this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by nother [Sculpture].
Roberts, Antonius. (2004). Nine angels [Sculpture]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/collection/nine-angels/
Schmid, Heino. (2010). Cloud [Lithograph].
Smith, Dave. (2018). Caribbean sunrise [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. [Acrylic on canvas].
Stuart, Clive. (2006). Work permit: The lawn will die without care [Photograph].
Swaby, Giovanna. (2016). I learned in passing [Installation].
Taylor, Maxwell. (2003). Ain't I a good mother? [Woodblock print].
Timchula, Alex. (2018). Sculpture for plants [Mixed media with living plants].
National Exhibitions not cited
Barrett, R., & Pratt, L. (2025). NELEVEN: Into the void [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne11/
Bynoe, H. (2016). National exhibition 8 [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne8/
Cox, J. (2012-2013). The national exhibition 6: Kingdom come (NE6) [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne6/
Cox, J. (2022-2023). National exhibition 10: Mercy [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne10/
James, E. M. (2004-2005). NE2: National exhibition 2004 [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne2/
Thompson, K. A. (2006-2007). Third national exhibition: NE3 [Exhibition]. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. https://nagb.org.bs/exhibitions/ne3/
