A new group exhibition challenging traditional ideas of Virgin Islands art will open Friday at Salt of the Earth Tattoo in Royal Dane Mall on St. Thomas.
The show, organized by artist and curator Lucien Downes under the banner of Virgin Islands Contemporary, features 10 artists working across a range of visual mediums.
The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m. Regular viewing hours will continue Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Featured artists include Brenda L. Cotto, Amy Gibbs, Lucien Downes, Jon Euwema, Elroy Simmons, Kristin Forbes-Mullane, Chunikwa George, Eliana Schuster Brown, Eric Paxton, Tamara Michael, and Meagan Lyn. Their work highlights themes of cultural evolution, identity, and contemporary Caribbean perspectives, moving beyond familiar iconography, such as seascapes, Moko Jumbies, and strictly historical narratives.
Downes, who previously managed an art supply store, describes his own practice as one rooted in experimentation with materials and technique. That sentiment, he says, extends to the group as a whole. “My artwork has always been different, whether it’s the material I used or the way I used said materials. I always wanted to push the boundaries of what Virgin Islands art is supposed to look like, not just regular Moko Jumbie, seascape or historical themes the way they were usually portrayed, but in a more modern take on them. I created Virgin Islands Contemporary to find like-minded artists to add to the conversation,” Downes said.
When asked to define the common thread linking the participants, Downes emphasized ideology over aesthetics. “I would say more of an ideology of what each of us views as contemporary art, and the way we choose to express these concepts. I am always exploring new ideas and materials. Having been, in my previous life, an art store manager, I learned a lot about art materials and what they did,” he said.
The exhibition also carries a pointed message for local audiences. Downes hopes the event will challenge perceptions about the viability of an artistic career in the territory. “It’s important for locals to show up so they can see that being a working artist is a viable occupation and also for them to open their minds to other ways of viewing common themes,” Downes said.
Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lucien Downes directly at luciendownes@hotmail.com.
