Roberts Makes His Mark in Germany

Making his mark on the international scene, Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts recently participated in the Caribbean Summer Festival at the Westphalenpark in Dortmund, Germany.

Bringing with him indigenous materials from the Bahamas, Mr Roberts also incorporated indigenous German wood in order to create a sculpture that speaks to a cultural union.

"That is exciting for me and important to me because this work [A Rosie Bahamian Woman] speaks to the whole issue of cross-fertilization and collaboration and cultural exchange.

"I am so pleased because I can say that the work that I'm sharing internationally are indigenous to the Bahamas. These are works that are inspiring by using authentically Bahamian material; that is things that are grown and found out in the earth of the Bahamas like wood and stone," Mr Roberts told Tribune Arts.

Organisers of the festival first met Mr Roberts during a tour in Grand Bahama earlier this year during the unveiling of his Taino Beach project, 'Original Bahamians'.

Mr Roberts noted that this most recent installation, while inspired by the 'Original Bahamians' is not an exact replica because as an artist, he tries not to reproduce the same work.

"The works that I do actually are inspired by the space that the work will be in." Mr Roberts said. "And that's particularly why I find that people are interested in the work that I am doing because of the indigenous and unique nature of the material. "

Along with Mr Roberts' work, the festival included performances of steel drum orchestras, the youth steelband Pan Gang, percussion workshops for children and adults, stage performances and games, as well as a marching procession of Junkanoo costumes through the park.

The Tribune
Arts Section
July 16, 2008