Published on Sep 2, 2015
Art made in the Caribbean by living Caribbean artists refers to a range of visual, media, performance, and other practices that are critically acclaimed. There has been much debate over whether a national style, philosophical outlook, or unified and cohesive culture exists or ever has existed within the Caribbean. Geographically it is large, with many distinct regions, and its population are diverse and made up of varying national and ethnic backgrounds.
Art in the Caribbean is marked by thousands of years of habitation by the Arawak peoples of the Caribbean followed by waves of immigration which included artists of European origins and subsequently by artists with heritage from countries all around the world (including African). The nature of Caribbean art reflects these diverse origins, as artists have taken their traditions and adapted these influences to reflect the reality of their lives in the Caribbean.
The governments of the Caribbean have at times played a central role in the development of Caribbean culture. However, this claim is challenged by some scholars and artists. Historically and in later times artists have combined British, French, Spanish, Dutch and African artistic traditions, at times embracing European styles and at other times working to promote nationalism by developing distinctly Caribbean styles. Caribbean art remains the combination of these various influences.
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Paul Keens Douglas - Sugar George