“Take a walk with me; let’s leave our footprints in the sand and design our soles with creativity. Stride with pride to unleash our creative side. Each sole is designed to show how simple or complicated nature can be. Sweet or bitter or value of treasure. Whatever life throws at us, be ready to create and leave a mark of a long-lasting memory for the world to see. An artist once told me as long as you have breathe in your body, just create.” – Lemero Wright
If you are interested in buying Lemero Wright’s Artwork, email us.
sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com for more information.
Welcome to our whimsical art exhibit, where the realms of fairy tales and daydreams collide in a tapestry of imagination and creativity. Here, a group of talented artists embark on a journey into the enchanting world of whimsy, inviting you to join them on a whimsical adventure.
Daydreaming, often dismissed as a mere distraction, is celebrated here as a gateway to a momentary escape from reality, a respite where we can find solace and happiness within ourselves. In the midst of life’s hustle and bustle, daydreaming offers a sanctuary, a fleeting reprieve where we can let our minds wander freely.
But let us not forget the importance of mindfulness even in our daydreams. By practicing mindfulness, we can fully immerse ourselves in the magic of our imaginings, embracing each fanciful thought with intention and awareness. It is within these mindful daydreams that we may stumble upon the most creative solutions to life’s biggest challenges as our minds roam unfettered, unbound by the constraints of the ordinary.
Yet, like all things, there is a balance to be struck. While daydreaming holds the power to inspire and uplift, we must also be mindful of the pitfalls of excessive indulgence. Just as too much of a good thing can lead to stagnation, unchecked daydreaming may veer into the realm of escapism, drawing us away from the richness of the present moment.
So, as you wander through this whimsical wonderland of art, let us embrace the beauty of daydreams, mindful of their potential to ignite our imagination and illuminate our path. For in the dance between reality and fantasy, we may discover the true magic of creativity and find joy in the simplest of moments.
The Artwork
If you are interested in purchasing any of the artwork in this exhibit,
In a world dominated by the incessant pursuit of meaning and purpose, most artists find solace in the enigmatic realm of art, often feeling nonplussed by the relentless quest to decipher the “why” behind their creative endeavors. It is within this ambiguity that we have discovered a profound connection to the core of artistic expression, where the true essence of art resides.
Artists, like curious wanderers, traverse the intricate labyrinth of their own creativity, occasionally finding themselves nonplussed by the insatiable desire to attach significance to every brushstroke, every contour, and every composition. This state of perplexity, far from being a hindrance, is a testament to the unbridled freedom that art offers. It is the uncharted territory where the mind relinquishes control, and the heart and soul take the reins, allowing us to create art without the constraints of preconceived notions or prescribed narratives.
In the midst of this artistic nonplus, we discover the sheer joy of celebrating color, form, and texture as their own profound sources of inspiration. The vivid spectrum of hues, the interplay of shapes, and the tactile richness of surfaces become the language through which we communicate our deepest emotions, dreams, and desires. These elements transcend language barriers, offering a universal connection that resonates with the human spirit on a primal level.
Art is an ode to the senses, a celebration of the visceral experience of life itself. It invites us to revel in the aesthetic wonder of the world around us and to express our innermost selves in the most authentic and unfiltered manner. In this context, the absence of predetermined meaning becomes a blessing, for it allows us to exist purely in the realm of intuition and creativity.
As artists, we create art not merely to convey messages or narratives but to explore the infinite possibilities of existence. We paint, sculpt, and craft to delve into the depths of our emotions, to capture moments of beauty, and to challenge the boundaries of convention. Through art, we channel our vulnerability, our resilience, and our unquenchable curiosity about the human experience.
When artists create artwork, something magical transpires. It’s a dance of self-discovery, a mirror reflecting our inner worlds, and a bridge connecting us with others. Art speaks to the soul, resonating with the observer’s unique interpretation, sparking conversations, and forging connections across time and space. It transcends the boundaries of language, culture, and time, fostering empathy, understanding, and unity among diverse minds.
In essence, as artists, we must embrace our moments of nonplus, for they guide us toward the heart of artistic expression, where we celebrate the raw beauty of color, form, and texture. Through our creations, we invite the world to explore, to wonder, and to find their own meanings in the kaleidoscope of our art. It is in this timeless dance of creation and interpretation that art truly thrives, transcending the need for a singular, prescribed meaning and embracing the boundless potential of human creativity. – June Collie
We have a wide range of affordable art available for purchase, with prices ranging from $20 to $4,000. Please contact us today to make a purchase.
Visit the Sixty 2 Sixty Art Gallery located on the corner of Bay St. and Victora Ave sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com or call 242 814 2872
Click the image to view the full image.
18×24 – June Collie – $75 18×24 – June Collie – $75 1 Untitled 24×30 – – Ben Ferguson Jr – $1,0002 Untitled 24×30 – – Ben Ferguson Jr – $1,0003 Sails 12×24 Demie Ubani – $500Beach 10×20 Vanessa Hudson – $450 for pairBeauty 24×36 Preston Hanna $2,200Better than the first time 24×48 June Collie $2,200Blue 18×24 June Collie $250Coconuts (print) 11×15 Kenel Augustine $35Colored roots 24×36 Kenel Augustine $1,300Diana 18×24 June Collie $250Elkino Dames 22×17 Crab $350Emotions 6×12 Moses Victor $200Flamingo 4×6 Kenel Augustine $50Flowers 3 & 4 9×11 June Collie $100 eachGigi 18×24 June Collie $75Girls 18×24 June Collie $300Golden 1 18×24 June Collie $300Golden 2 18×24 June Collie $300Grace 36×24 June Collie $700Grandma’s House 4×6 Moses Victor $100Grief 30×40 Kara Cartwright $800Hibiscus 4×6 Kenel Augustine $50Iguana (print) 10×9 Kenel Augustine $35IVY 36×48 June Collie $2,500Look Mom 20×16 Kenel Augustine $350Mark 18×26 June Collie $250Martha 36×24 June Collie $700Nectar 24×36 Preston Hanna $ 2,200Orange 9×12 June Collie $100Oranges 9×12 June Collie $150Peace 30×40 Kara Cartwright $800Peek Me 1 16×20 Demie Ubani $600Peek Me 2 16×20 Demie Ubani $600Pride 24×30 Preston Hanna $2,200Rage 30×40 Kara Cartwright $800Red 23×35 June Collie $200Red Cups 48×36 June Collie $4,000Red Hog 22×17 Elkino Dames $300Red Room 9×12 June Collie $100Rest 24×30 June Collie $900Roses 8.5×11 June Collie $50Seagrape 9×7 Sofia $300Separate Connection 1 20×20 Deime Ubani $600Separate Connection 2 20×20 Deime Ubani $600Shhh 16×16 June Collie $400Smoking Hot Nun 16×16 June Collie $400Susie 20×20 June Collie $500Sweet 24×36 Preston Hanna $2200Top Knot 9×12 June Collie $100Untitled 6×12 Moses Victor $200Untitled 24×30 Ashley Cooper $500Untitled 25″ D Kara Cartwright $400Untitled 36×48 Arielle Rahming $2,500Wha U Call Me For? 23×23 June Collie $500Window View 24×30 June Collie $700Yellow 23×35 June Collie $200Yellow Emotions 11×14. June Collie $70
Visit the gallery to see more artwork made by local artists. For more information about artwork contact sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com or 242 814 2872
The Hard Heal exhibition presents the artistic work of Deime Ubani and Kara Cartwright, who delve into the process of healing from heartbreak. The exhibit explores the emotional struggles they faced during their journeys of self-discovery after their heartbreak and how they translated these experiences into their artwork. The artists take responsibility for their role in their relationships, emphasizing the positive outcomes, such as personal growth and self-discovery. Through their artwork, they convey the message that healing and growth are possible even in the face of heartbreak, inspiring others to do the same.
Artist Statement from Deime Ubani and Kara Cartwright
In the depths of heartbreak, one finds themselves at an emotional crossroads, a place where the fragments of a shattered love story lay scattered like pieces of a broken mosaic. This intersection of pain and self-discovery became the focal point of the artistic journey.
Our work has always been deeply intertwined with our emotions and life experiences. The challenge of finding oneself after experiencing heartbreak is a universal struggle, and we embarked on a profound exploration of this emotional landscape. The rawness of this experience left us questioning who we were outside the context of those relationships and pushed us to confront the aspects of ourselves that had become entangled in it.
During this tumultuous time, our thoughts and emotions were a swirling tempest of sadness, anger, and self-reflection. We have grappled with the realization that we had played a role in the dynamics of our relationships, both its beauty and its eventual demise. This introspection was painful, but it was a necessary step in the healing process. There we both began to understand that healing wasn’t just about mending a broken heart; it was about mending the fragments of our own identity.
The paintings became our sanctuary, the canvas through which we channeled our emotions and navigated this journey of self-discovery. We use painting to translate the complex emotions that surge within. Each stroke, each texture, and each color applied was a deliberate expression of our inner turmoil and the determination to heal.
One of the most transformative aspects of this experience was taking accountability for our role in our relationships. It was a humbling and cathartic process to admit that there were mistakes, acknowledge our flaws, and learn from them. This act of accountability became a turning point, allowing us to grow and evolve not only as an artist but as a person.
As time passed, the positive outcomes of this heartbreak emerged. The pain, once suffocating, transformed into a wellspring of creativity and self-discovery. We both discovered strengths within ourselves that we had overlooked in the shadow of our past relationships. Our paintings became a reflection of newfound resilience, and they provided a platform to inspire others going through similar struggles.
In the end, the art became a testament to the transformative power of heartbreak. It symbolizes the phoenix rising from the ashes, the beauty born from pain, and the profound self-discovery that comes from facing one’s own vulnerabilities. Through this journey, we hope to inspire others to embrace their own healing process, find their true selves, and channel their emotions into something beautiful, just as we have done through these paintings.
Demie Ubani Bio Born in Nassau, Bahamas in 1988, Deime’ Ubani has a rich cultural heritage as she is of Bahamian, Barbadian, and Nigerian descent. She has always had a passion for art, using it to capture memories, cultural heritage, and generational legacy. Abstract art has always caught her attention, as she discovered early on that different colors evoke different emotions. Her family encouraged her interest in the arts, with her grandmother being both a beautician and ceramist who loved knitting large quilts for every member of the family. Deime’ attended the former College of The Bahamas, now the University of The Bahamas, and obtained her Associate’s degree in Art in 2009. She has since continued to explore abstraction, using various mediums to create balanced pieces. Deime’s work has been showcased by The D’Aguilar Art Foundation, The Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Salus Project, and the SeeMe Art Takes Times Square art show in 2013. In 2014, her pieces were selected for the interior design of the Baha Mar resort in the capital city. To see some of her past works, check out Ubani Artworks on social media platforms. Deime’ still resides and works in Nassau and finds inspiration in both the past and present.
Kara Cartwright Bio Kara Victoria Cartwright lives and works in New Providence. She is a graphic designer, muralist, and mixed media artist. She was born in New Providence in 1990 and grew up in Long Island, The Bahamas. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Art from the College of The Bahamas. She has contributed work to Popop Studios’ Sketch24, The College of the Bahamas’ Colour of Harmony (2011) and The Salus Project’s Pulse (2012). She has since worked primarily as a graphic designer, launching her business, VictoriArt Studios and becoming a muralist in 2022. Her style is influenced by her graphic design practice, abstract expressionism, tropical flora and the sea.
If you would like to support Deime and Kara’s Art practice by buying their artwork contact Sixty 2 Sixty Art Gallery today!
This exhibit will be available for viewing until August 14, 2023.
It’s never one thing.
Humans experience multiple, collective, individual, and overlapping states of being consistently (daily, weekly, yearly, and by the second) throughout one’s life. These states can encompass our emotional, environmental, physical, physiological, intellectual, individual, and collective experiences.
The responses to these varied human experiences often collide with one another, resulting in various outputs and state changes. Although some of these states and outputs can be controlled or altered when one seeks “different types of experiences in different ways (or rather the lack thereof), the results of such experiences can also vary between individuals. A lot of factors – personal context, personalities, preferences, values, and more – will come into play in determining how we begin the experience process itself, to the results we take away from it” (Wu, 2020).
During the creation of artwork in the present state of states, moving through different realms of the human experience while carrying the effects of those states where: memories exist in the present, happiness exists in sadness. Sunshine in the spry. Scents long gone. Blood long dried.
“A recent study suggests that there are far more basic emotions than previously believed and, in a study published in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, researchers identified 27 different categories of emotion. We can also experience a combination of emotions at the same time” (Wu, 2020).
My materials and themes fluctuate, mimicking the web of realms. Each realm can call for a different material, different method of application of materials and diverse subject matters. Hence there is no set title for this show, but simply an observation of life’s revolving process of there is never one thing at a time.
Deime’ Ubani was born in Nassau, Bahamas in 1988. Being of Bahamian, Barbadian, and Nigerian descent provided a colorful heritage that influenced her love for using art to capture memories, cultural heritage and generational legacy. Throughout her early years, Deime’ was always drawn to abstracts. Even if she did not yet know art in theory, she soon discovered different colors could be used to evoke different feelings of emotions. Her interest in the arts was encouraged by close family members. Her grandmother, a beautician by trade, was also a ceramist who loved knitting large quilts for each family member. Coming from a line of creatives, my grandmother’s house was decorated with artwork varying in mediums from past generations also.
After graduating from high school, Deime’ opted to attend the former College of The Bahamas, now the University of The Bahamas, and obtained her Associate’s degree in Art in 2009. She then began to delve deeper into abstraction and continues to use various mediums to obtain the balance that she prioritizes in her pieces.
Deime’s work has been featured by The D’Aguilar Art Foundation, The Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Salus Project, and the SeeMe Art Takes Times Square art show (2013). In June of 2014, her pieces were among those chosen as part of the interior design of the Baha Mar resort in the nation’s capital. You can browse some of her past works through Ubani Artworks on social media platforms. Deime’ still lives and works in Nassau, Bahamas, as she constantly draws inspiration from home in the past and in the present.
If you’re interested in buying Deime Ubani’s artwork, please contact us via email at sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com or by phone at 1 242 8142872.
“At heart, I am a storyteller and a visual artist armed with a camera and a lens. I first developed a love for photography as a young boy at my father’s side. It was here that I came to understand the power of photographic images. Its the ability to be thought-provoking, to bring inspiration, and to challenge our concept of reality. I desire to impact and inspire the viewers of my work. Encourage them to look beyond what they may see in their everyday lives. For me, life is a journey through my lens.”
Montez Kerr has been working on this body of work for over five overs. These photographs are a tribute to the beauty and art of Sloop Sailing in The Bahamas. Sloop Sailing was born from the history of transferring people and cargo between the family islands. He feels that sloop sailing is a huge part of Bahamian pride and a great way to celebrate Bahamian culture. Kerr’s photographs have captured all of this: majestic boats on the open seas, the passion, and ability of the men and women who lend their skills to win the race.
If you would like to purchase Montez Kerr’s work Call 1 242 814 2872 or Email – sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com
Sitting just outside of what is considered the Caribbean affords us the privilege of having a bit of this and a bit of that. Having a diverse mixture of genealogy, delicacies, and unique speech patterns influenced by the west indies and the Americas, ‘Dis and Dat’ is a common saying amongst black and Caribbean heritage. These factors also play a huge role in the many styles of Bahamian art being produced today. Bahamian art is no longer only paintings of clapboard houses and poinciana trees in full bloom but that of the expression of living within this colorful ecosystem. This show will showcase the art of traditional styles intertwined with expressionism and abstract pieces while touching on the broad spectrum of themes experienced by the four exhibiting artists.
‘DIS N’ DAT’ exhibiting artists include Charlton Strachan, Deimé Ubani, Preston Hanna, and Elkino Dames. Each artist represents a different style, technique, and medium in this collective body of work. For more information about this exhibit, send us a message here or email us at sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com
“Fluid art is an amazing use of paints thinned and applied to canvas using an array of fun and unique technique and the most interesting set of tools. As a self-taught artist, I don’t have the structure or guidance provided by a top art school. What I do have is the freedom to learn how I please. Which gives me a degree of discipline. Most of all, I’m passionate about my art and know that consistency is key.”
– Vanessa Hudson
If you would like to purchase Vanessa Hudson’s art, you can email us at sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com, message us here on the website or call 1 242 814 2872
“SHE GAVES HER WINGS” – 23″X29″ – mixed media on paper – $1,200
“VISIONARY” – 24″X17″ – Mixed Media on paper – $1,000
“DON’T WORRY” – 23″X21 – acrylic on paper – $750
“WHATEVER WINGS YOU GAT, JUST FLY” – 19″x25″ – Mixed Media on Chip Board – $1,300
“SEA VIBES” – 19″X25″ – mixed on chipboard – $1,300
“AFTER BAY” – 19″x17 – Ink on paper – $600
Imagine having wings and not ever taking flight?
We, as human beings, have the potential to do amazing things and impact the world with our talents and gifts. However, most of us never live up to our full potential; due to fears and anxieties. The purpose behind this show is to invoke and remind viewers of their untapped powers. Why? I was once dormant and lost in the feeling of giving up and not following my dreams.
At one point, I had forgotten I had wings. I forgot how to take flight above my adversities. I forgot the fortitude of my vicissitudes. Then, one morning a beautiful blackbird with golden-like streaks on his body flew past me, and I heard the words “Why not fly ?”
Elkino’s artistic pursuits began in 1994 when he won an Anti-Drug Poster competition put on by the US Customs Department. He began to take his Artistic Career seriously when he enrolled at the College of the Bahamas, acquiring an Associate’s Degree in Art and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. The Ministry of Education has employed him for the past 14 with postings at L.W. Young and Huntley Christie in North Andros, respectively.
Elkino has also been privileged to teach at both the Finco Art Workshop and the National Art Gallery Mix Media Camps during his summer breaks.
His unwavering passion for art drives him constantly to recognize and motivate his students to do their best. He has even organized art exhibitions to showcase their creative talent.
Elkino’s art pieces have been admired and sought after by the D’aguilar Art Foundation, Dawn Davies, and other notable collectors. His work has been exhibited in several galleries and exhibitions, including The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, D’Aguilar Art Foundation, Hillside House, Transforming Spaces, and the Doongalik Studios. Elkino Dames has created many artworks, including drawings, paintings, mixed media pieces, and sculptures. He has completed several mural projects, and he is excited about the prospect of producing even more quality works of art in the not-so-distant future.
To purchase any of Elkino Dames Art you can email us at sixty2sixtyartgallery@gmail.com, call us at 1(242)8142872 or visit us at Sixty 2 Sixty Art Gallery.
Mango Season – 12×12 Acrylic on Canvas – $450Sapodilla Season – 12×12 Acrylic on Canvas – $450Tamarind Season 12×12 Acrylic on Canvas – $450Sugar Apple 11×15 Watercolor paper – $200 -Framed – $300 (prints)-$35 each- framed $135Seagrape 11×15 Watercolor paper – $200 -Framed – $300Pineapple (prints) 11×15 – $35 each – Framed $135Sweet Coconuts (prints)-$35 each- framed $135Universal Conch Shell 11×15″ Watercolor – $200 Framed $300Snappers 11×15 watercolor – $200 Framed $300Vivid Beauty – 12×12 Acrylic on Canvas $350Hibiscus – 4×6″ – $60 – Framed $160 Acrylic on CanvasFlamingo 4×6″ – $60 – Framed $160 Acrylic on CanvasGreen Iguana – 11×15″ Watercolor – $200 framed $300Divine Innocence 18×20 Acrylic on canvas – $650Blue Iguana – 11×15″ Watercolor –$ 200 – framed $300Green Parrot watercolor $200 – framed $300 Prints $35 each- framed prints $135Happy Crabby 11×15″ Watercolor – $200 framed $300Snapper 11×15 Watercolor – $200 framed $300Look Mom – Acrylic on Canvas 20×18 $500We is Bahamians – 36×24 – Acrylic on Canvas $800Lady Poinciana 20×30 – Acrylic on Canvas – $950Junkanoo 30×20 – Acrylic on Canvas $950Rosie – 22×24″ Acrylic on Canvas $700Purple Humming Bird – 4×6″ – $60 Framed $160Sounds of The Ocean – Acyrlic on Canvas $600Swimming Pig – 11×15″ Watercolor – $200 framed $300Pearl – 11×15″ Watercolor $200 – framed $300Poinciana in The Breeze 11×15″ Watercolor $200 – framed $300Bird – 11×15″ Watercolor $200 – framed $300
ARTIST BIO Born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Kenel Augustin is a young multi-talented artist. Over the years, Mr. Augustin has competed in several art competitions, the Central Bank of the Bahamas being the major one of them wherein the year of 2011 he was awarded first place and in, 2012 second place and 2013 third place during that time he graduated out of high school. He participated in various charitable events and art exhibitions. They would include the Salus Project, empty bowl, and others. Mr. Augustin’s artwork is very expressive with color and shape.
ARTIST STATEMENT My art is my voice, a powerful interpretation of my deepest thoughts, hidden emotions, and ideas. The images I create are from experience and a need to connect to the world in my language as an artist, I work hard to develop my skill and love for art, which speaks both to me and others about the beauty of my envelopment in it. My primary aim in making portraits is to showcase a living being without creating a hyper-realistic piece.
Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, singer, photographer, or another type of artist – there are going to be days where you find it excruciatingly difficult to create something. It’s called “Artist’s Block.” And it sucks! To help with my’ artist block,’ I usually create artwork that’s entirely out of my style and experiment for a bit. As artists, we often feel the need to constantly be creative and feel guilty when we aren’t creating. Rather than powering through one creative project, go and work on something else creative.
I find that stepping away to focus on something else creative can help me see a project more clearly when I come back to it.
By switching up your task, you’re still exercising your brain to think differently while simultaneously giving it a break. I’ve experienced that when I stop thinking about one creative task and focus on one of the many other projects I’ve got going on, I find my breakthrough.
Sitting down to create a masterpiece can be intimidating. Having an artist block can be frustrating. Creating and having the desire to create shouldn’t be something that stresses you out—quite the opposite. I hope after reading this, you’ve got some ideas for how you can mitigate and manage your artist block when it comes your way. From one artist to another – you’ve got this!
A group art exhibition Artist – Jalan Harris, Javon Nixon, Justin Moultrie
On Friday, August 6, 2021, Sixty 2 Sixty Gallery hosted an art exhibit featuring artists Jalan Harris, Javon Nixon and Justin Moultrie. The trio produced self-portraits along with portraits of each other ranging from realism to dreamy and surreal.
“It was a reflection of our subconscious…the way we view each other which inevitably shows us how we view ourselves.”
–Jalan Harris
Though each art style is distinct, the artists often fed off each other’s drive to insinuate a deep connection between the three.
“We have pretty reserved personalities. We often empathized with each other’s frustration during the show’s inception but kept it really light-hearted. It was overall a positive experience.”
–Jalan Harris
“The show gave me a reason to show my artistic craft. It gave me a reason to examine myself, but also in contrast to my peers. Through minimalism, I tried to understand what is ‘enough’ to get an idea across. The show gave me a reason to express my true voice. My process is intricately related to the artists I work with. It gave me a perspective on self. ”
–Javon Nixon
“I wanted the works to be colorful yet simple. The backgrounds were my focal point, which would gradually pull the viewer into the actual portraits. My aim was to challenge the aesthetic of the typical portrait. We worked within a short space of time. I wanted to tap into what it would mean to look at a reflection of yourself.
–Justin Moultrie
The show is up until September 6, 2021 at Sixty 2 Sixty Art Gallery on Bay Street and Victoria Avenue. Gallery hours 11a.m.-5p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Deimé Ubani (b. 1988, she/her) is an abstract artist and entrepreneur born in Nassau, Bahamas. Being of Bahamian, Barbadian and Nigerian descent, her art is primarily influenced by her vibrant heritage with an interest in capturing personal memories, generational legacy and her colorful culture. Raised by a lineage of creatives, Deimé’s interest in the arts was encouraged by close family members. Her grandmother, being a beautician by trade, was also a ceramist who enjoyed knitting large quilts for family members. Her grandmother’s walls were decorated with past generations of artwork in varying forms. From her early years, Deimé would be drawn to abstract art – discovering how colours could be used to evoke specific feelings and emotions. After completing high school, Deimé attended The College of The Bahamas (now The University of The Bahamas), obtaining an Associates degree in Art in 2009. It was then when she began to delve more into abstraction through her business Ubani Artworks. Her practice often involves acrylic, oil paint and collaging – prioritising balance in her use of color, textures and shapes. Deimé also adds functional art to her resume through her home decor brand Big Wood Bahamas. Thus far, Deimé’s work has been featured by The D’Aguilar Art Foundation, The Central Bank of The Bahamas, The Salus Project, The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and the SeeMe Art Takes Times Square art show (2013). In 2014, her art pieces were selected for the interior design of Baha Mar Resorts. Deimé still resides in her hometown, Nassau, where she constantly draws inspiration from past and present. Her work can be accessed via Ubani Artworks on social media or deimeubaniart.com.
Click the image to watch Artist Ashley Cooper speak about her work.
DEAR DIARY, DURING THE PANDEMIC, I…
Bearing witness to someone else’s pain and emotional spiral can cause us to consider our own potential pitfalls. Whether big or small, witnessing the pitfalls of others often challenges us to make better choices to prevent ourselves from spiralling. Living through life’s highs and lows can feel like a roller coaster ride. What remains constant is the importance of remembering to continue moving forward, working towards goals, and chasing fulfilment.
Many may argue that this chase is easier said than done, but I have come to find in those moments of downward spiral, there is a pivot, and during this, you can either decide to work harder or release the goal. I have never given up, but I recognise that breaks are essential to recharge and gain balance to tackle the bad that comes with the good on the journey to achieving what you most want.
Being a student of both psychology and art has influenced my creative approach for my first solo exhibition Shades of Blue, and has brought me to this moment in time, where I now formally introduce this new body of work. Dear Diary, During the Pandemic, I… is a manifestation of this reckoning. During the pandemic, I’ve observed people fall into depression, take up new practices, learn more about religion and spirituality, start new businesses, and become different individuals all around. Using acrylic and metallic acrylic paint, this collection was inspired by personal journal entries in 2020 – an era that made or broke people, demanded change, and taught many of us to seek balance amidst the chaos.
From this exhibition, I hope viewers are inspired to continue moving forward, conceptualizing, and creating work that someone in the world can resonate with.
ARTIST BIO
Ashley Cooper (b.1992) is a mixed media artist born and based in Nassau, Bahamas. Having studied Psychology and Fine Art, Cooper’s artwork aims to evoke strong feelings that create deep, meaningful connections between the artist and viewer. Using acrylic, charcoal, patterns and found objects, her themes highlight the beauty of humanity, and our connection with the natural world. By exploring the human experience, Cooper’s pieces aim to inspire the individual towards inner growth and self-actualisation.
At an early age, Cooper realised her love for mixed media in second grade. While studying at St. Anne’s School, she played with puppet-making, colouring, and drawing. Her practice gradually developed into her own experimentations of collage using natural found objects like sea glass, coconut bark, wood, string and plants. Presently, Cooper combines her early skills of drawing and collaging with newer mediums, such as acrylic paint, to create her own unique style in mixed media.
Cooper is currently pursuing her bachelor’s in psychology and Art at The University of The Bahamas. In addition, she has interned at Popop Studios and Retail Residency at Baha Mar. So far, her works have been exhibited at The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Hillside House, The Current at Baha Mar, Popop Studios, Traveller’s Rest, The Central Bank Art Gallery of The Bahamas, and The University of The Bahamas.
Dear Diary, During the Pandemic, I…, Cooper’s second solo show, will take place on June 10th, 2021 at Sixty2Sixty Art Gallery, 5pm to 8pm EST.
Sixty 2 Sixty Art Gallery 