FREEPORT, Bahamas — Three artists are aiming to illustrate the impact of Hurricane Dorian, remind Grand Bahamians of the beauty of their island, and start a conversation about being eco-conscious through a traveling art exhibition, titled, “One Goat and Three Birds”, The Nassau Guardian reported on Tuesday, March 7, in an article written by Tristan Gibson.
They are also collaborating with Nassau-based solar panel company Inti Corporation for its ongoing student essay competition focusing on renewable energy and its impact on climate change.
High school students and college students will have the chance to win cash prizes, become Inti Corporation’s youth ambassador for a year, and attend environmental forums and youth conferences.
Artists Chantal Bethel, Jo Morasco, and Laurie Tuchel held the first showing of “One Goat and Three Birds” at the Rand Nature Center last Friday.
The artwork will stay at the center until March 11, then it will move to New Providence to be displayed at The Current: Baha Mar Gallery & Art Center on April 14.
The exhibition was three years in the making and features paintings, sculptures, and tapestries created using various techniques such as wood burning, needlework, loom weaving, and the mixing of digital and physical mediums.
The artwork depicts scenes of Grand Bahamians braving the 2019 storm as well as interpretations of the emotions the artists themselves felt after its passing.
One of Bethel’s creations is a video installation in which she replicates her experience during the Category 5 storm. The inspiration for and title of the showcase alludes to a quote from former Minister of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira after an assessment of the 2019 Equinor oil spill on Grand Bahama.
He said, “On land, we can confirm that one goat and three birds were impacted.”
The artists were moved to express that much more was affected.
“It felt very dismissive…,” said Tuchel.
“We kept thinking that this just didn’t feel right and could we take it as an opportunity to facilitate more conversation about the importance of this island.”
Bethel added, “After the storm, after I came out … all I saw was a lot of trees lining up, looking at you and all the homes were gutted.
“That was the genesis of my work. It’s trying to deal with the reality of it.”
Tuchel said, “When someone looks at my work, I want them to relate to it. I want them to remember how lucky and beautiful life can be.
“I’d rather create an image that a viewer doesn’t get frightened of but remembers a moment in their own life when they did feel comfort.”
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/local-artists-bring-climate-change-into-frame/
