The theme ‘Bound by family, inspired by memory, revealed through art’ brings to light the purpose of the ‘Ties that Bind’ exhibition, which opened on the 15th of July, 2026, at the Caribbean Brushstrokes Gallery. The ‘Ties that Bind’ speaks to the connection shared amongst these artists, whether they are bound through generational familial relationships such as Karl, Jabari and Virgil Broodhagen or a brotherhood, i.e. Omowale and Sundiata Stewart and their granddaughter, Aiko Stewart. The themes being explored include cultural identity, heritage, religion, society, landscapes and nostalgia. 

Shawn Peter’s ‘This De-Mockracy- De Government Boots’, Alexei Charles’ ‘Market Vendor ‘, Denyse Barnard-Nolan’s ‘La Soufriere, St. Vincent ‘, and Nicholas Ward’s ‘Where the Giant Sleeps’ evoke the strong emotional experience of the Caribbean identity.

 Contextually,  it is this theme of Caribbean identity that connects the audience and artist. It is this link which shows that art communicates an emotional response and that the Caribbean identity is a shared tradition, memory, landscape, social issue and culture.  

Notably, Heather Dawn Scott’s playful but intentional brushstrokes make her work a joy to view. The scene within ‘Market Morning’ evokes a familiar Caribbean cultural identity, i.e. the market. Her use of texture, colour, line, shape and form gives life to her work. Scott’s use of warm and cool colours, along with the figures, portrays the movement of everyday Caribbean life. 

This everyday Caribbean community is a shared experience that ties each of the artists together. The strength of the work lies in the artist’s ability to portray a very taxing job as a place of belonging. There is a sense of Caribbean tradition that is rooted in the marketplace. According to Low (1992), ‘ties that bind’ refers to a “place attachment”; it emphasises that relationships are not only formed through experiences but through practices, identity, and cultural beliefs. As it relates to the exhibition, most of the artists clearly portrayed their concepts to the audience, highlighting the emotional bond and shared values that they have with each other. Overall, most viewers will appreciate the exploration of different mediums and techniques on display within the show. The artwork has visual impact and is enriched with cultural experiences and familial connections for all age ranges. 

Written by Jade Beckles

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References
Low, S.M. (1992). Symbolic Ties That Bind. In: Altman, I., Low, S.M. (eds) Place Attachment.
Human Behavior and Environment, vol 12. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8753-4_8