The exhibition ‘Lumpy Cou Cou’ by Sheena Rose, in collaboration with the National Cultural Foundation Barbados and Johansson Projects, is a celebration of Caribbean Culture and Identity on a global scale. 

The exhibition’s connection with food and culture is not limited to its title. The yet-unpublished literary work, which served as inspiration for the performances undertaken on opening night, becomes the guiding light for many of the titles, paintings, and installation elements that ground the viewer in the atmosphere Rose is attempting to convey. The lumpy coucou produced by Rose’s protagonist in a cooking session between herself and her grandmother becomes a unique metaphor for the connection that exists within the community and the importance of fellowship.

The exhibition launched on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, at The Queen’s Park Gallery in Barbados, spearheaded with two performances by the artist Sheena Rose. 

One performance, developed in association with Leggo Theatre Company, featured a scene of merry making and community around a carefully plated banquet table, which begins with the artist ringing a dinner bell, signalling for the other performers, hidden amongst the opening attendees, to take their places at the dinner table. As the performance begins, Rose’s words narrate the events of the evening as they unfold. 

In the artist’s recalling of the event, the performance itself begins to take on a spiritual meaning, as recognisable elements of Caribbean culture become overlapped with the Western idea of the banquet. The piece has then been likened to a ritual, with each performer carrying out his or her role. The artist (Rose) takes her position as the leader of this spiritual undertaking, prompting each performer’s action. 

In further reflection, Rose became enamoured with the idea that in the acting of the performance, the table itself becomes an altar. This element of culture as ritual becomes an underpinning of  Rose’s work.