This is not only because of the Caribbean's extremely Eurocentric influences, but also the fact that art schools train and teach techniques that have been primarily developed in such countries (mainly Europe), rather than our own.
This has caused a historical shift from indigenous art forms, such as rock drawings, to more 'advanced' ways of creating; for example: charcoal drawings (originated in France), painting, or even more recently: digital medium.
The Historical influences and timeline of Caribbean visual arts
- Early Indians (Kalinago, Taino): 2000BC. Taino artwork include stone carvings, drawings, figurines and pottery. Not until the late 20th century have Caribbean artists began to renew and replicate these art forms.
- Colonial period (starting at 1496): art forms brought by enslaved Africans. Also came the art forms of the colonisers; pigments, paints, charcoal, ink. Little evidence shows that the enslaved were able to adopt these media however.
- 19th cen. to Mid 20th century: adoption of 'contemporary' Western art forms; teaching techniques in schools.
- 20th cen. to present: a revival of historical art forms and Caribbean heritage through the visual arts.
Although Caribbean people have historically adopted the techniques of colonial masters, and around the globe on a whole due to the modern information age, we have put our own spin on how we chose to depict art; largely based on our Caribbean history and lifestyle.
At one point Caribbean artist have chosen to value Western depictions of art over their own but a now shifting away from acrylics or watercolours to more unusual medium like clay, wood or paper maches; that is often considered to be 'primitive' by the Western world.
Caribbean artists built a name and identify for themselves as Caribbean people, and have others see value in their unique depictions of art just as they would in American or European techniques.
The days of suppressing ourselves as Caribbean men are over and is now in full celebration by our artists.
Modern art in the Caribbean now exists as a reflection of our history, heritage and culture expressed through the use of both Western techniques and unconventional, historically significant media and installations.
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