Art After Ivan Susan Mains A collection of recent work Paintings, photos, and poetry Copyright Susan Mains, 2005 Do not use without express written permission
Art After Ivan Susan Mains A collection of recent work Paintings, photos, and poetry Copyright Susan Mains, 2005 Do not use without express written permission.
Jan 18, 2016
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Art After Ivan
Susan Mains
A collection of recent work
Paintings, photos, and poetry
Copyright Susan Mains, 2005 Do not use without express written permission
Presented at the
Caribbean Gallery of Art
Speightstown
Barbados
15th January through 10th February 2005
The view from my studio in Grenada before Hurricane Ivan hit on 7th September 2004
The view on the morning of 8th September 2004.
Look to the left
Look to the right
My House
The Studio
Embedded in a war zone.
Devastation that looked like the explosion of a massive bomb.
Picking up the pieces of a life with a dust pan and hand broom.
Shards of glass, leaves, branches, dirt, clothes, books, papers…
and art…strewn together in a moldy,
smelly stew that could not be ignored.
Day after day, after day, and still the job wasn’t finished.
From within this setting a new reality demanded creation. Sitting in a tiny space in my former studio, rain dripping through the cement ceiling from above, broken windows still boarded, I painted the Grenada of my memory. It was a grieving process. I painted memories of an island life that was swept away—the fishing boats on the beaches, men mending nets, boats half way built, the working boat races at regatta time.
“Evening Rest”
Acrylic on Canvas
26” x 32”
2004
“Half Built”
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 20”
2004
“Working Boat Races I”
Oil on Canvas
24” x 20”
2004
“Working Boat Races II”
Oil on Canvas
24” x 20”
2004
“Work Boat”
Oil on Canvas
24” x 20”
2004
“Peaceful River at Dawn I”
Oil on Canvas
20” x 24”
2004
“Peaceful River at Dawn II"Oil on Canvas 24” x 20”2004
“Mending Nets”
Acrylic on Canvas
26” x 22”
2004
“Life and Death on an Island”
Acrylic on Canvas
26” x 22”
2004
A solid week without a showerNo Water in the pipes for three weeksNo Tarp for two weeksNo Roof for two monthsNo phone for two weeks (my cell phone drown)No Electricity for three monthsNo Internet, No RefrigeratorNo Windows….Still, no windows
Yet, so much to be grateful for
Life
A fresh water spring a quarter of a mile from our houseA gas stoveFamily and friends who sent aidAnd came to help us put the roof back on
Paints and brushes retrieved from the hillside
Art—a way to deal with the emotions
The beautiful Morne Gozo now a mass of tangled tree trunks and dead, brown leaves. The reality was painful. Finally I started to record the after impressions of the storm.
“The Mourning After”
Oil on Canvas
20” x 24”
2004
“Death Dance”
Oil on Canvas
Diptych, 24” x 16”
2004
“Deflowered Courtesy Ivan”
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 20”
2004
Departure from my own painting style—surely after Ivan this is allowed.
“Repent”
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 24”
2004
“National Security”
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 24”
2004
“Hammer of god” Mixed Media Assemblage 3 objects 6” x 20” 2004
“Judgement?” Mixed Media Assemblage 6” x 14 2004
“Sins of the trees” Mixed Media Assemblage 5” x 14” 2004
The misery, eased by simple pleasure
…..a neighbor bringing a piece of fried fish
for breakfast.
The misery, eased by faith that knows there is
a bigger picture.
The misery, eased by the appearance of the first fruit.
“First Fruit I”
Oil on Canvas
48” x 45”
2004
“Flamenco Dancer”Oil on Canvas48” x 36”2004
Neighbors I could never see before, now in plain view.
And I to them.
“Can You See Me Now?”
Oil on Canvas
48” x 30”
2004
My coconut tree, dearly loved, many times painted, is gone.
Rest in pieces at the bottom of the hill.
“Coconut Tree—Rest in Pieces”
Oil on Canvas
48” x 48”
2004
Victoria’s flower—keeper of the secrets—also gone.
Victoria’s Secret Loss
Oil on Canvas
30” x 26”
2004
“Banana Flower I”
Oil on Canvas
24” x 26”
2004
“Banana Flower II”Oil on Canvas24” x 26”2004
The intensity of the aftermath of the hurricane brought human emotions to a fevered pitch. The devastation to relationships came through in several paintings that are included in the “Mask” series.
“She Hates Her Mother”
Acrylic on Canvas
26 x 24”
2004
Nerves were raw, and often people took out their frustration on those who were closest to them.
“She Hates Her Mother” was inspired by a conversation with a neighbor about the strained relationship with her daughter.
“The Damage Is Already Done”
Acrylic on Canvas
26” x 24”
2004
The same day a young friend came by to talk about problems she was having with her mother. The girl’s desperation brought about a response of fear and condemnation from the mother.
“I Know Your Secrets But I Can’t Tell You”
Acrylic on Canvas
Dyptich 16” x 24”
2004
Yet another mother is terminally ill but keeps it to herself. The daughter knows
The daughter has her visa and could immigrate but keeps it to herself. The mother knows.
From the experience of Ivan, a new, deeper meaning has found its way into my painting. The intensity of loveliness becomes even sharper,
the observation of human kind more keen, and expressed yet more blatantly. Grenada is forever changed. As am I.
“Storm Coming”
Acrylic on Canvas
16” x 20”
2005
“Survive”
Acrylic on Canvas
26” x32”
2005
“It was the worst time I have ever gone through.
I wouldn’t exchange it for anything.”
Nights After Ivan
GeneratorsLike giant cats purringIn the nightAnd one by one they fall asleepAnd the valley turns as black as coalAnd quiet like long ago nightsAnd the silent stars watch on.The moon rises over the ridge Full like a passion fruitAnd silhouettes the ghostly figures of theDisabled, armless trees.The night birds give a hootAnd the tree frogsTrill their never-stop-singing songMosquitoes fly with vengeance nowTheir tribes multiplied by water, water everywherePlatoons and squadrons organize the attackTheir ringing in ears and stinging in rearsJust making you want toCurse two bad word…..A wisp of cloud creeps over the moonThen purposefully gathers its forceTo drench our roofless dwellings Yet once again.Another nightOur collective plightThe Ease, the “dis ease”The mystery, the misery.
Tell me again how this won’t last forever.
Nights After Ivan
GeneratorsLike giant cats purring
In the nightAnd one by one they fall asleep
And the valley turns as black as coalAnd quiet like long ago nightsAnd the silent stars watch on.The moon rises over the ridge
Full like a passion fruitAnd silhouettes the ghostly figures of the
Disabled, armless trees.The night birds give a hoot
And the tree frogsTrill their never-stop-singing song
Mosquitoes fly with vengeance nowTheir tribes multiplied by water, water
everywherePlatoons and squadrons organize the attack
Their ringing in ears and stinging in rearsJust making you want toCurse two bad word…..
A wisp of cloud creeps over the moonThen purposefully gathers its forceTo drench our roofless dwellings
Yet once again.Another night
Our collective plightThe Ease, the “dis ease”The mystery, the misery.
Tell me again how this won’t last forever.
Survivor
He walked toward me on our village roadA vagrant? A thief? Who could tell?For this Ivan had made the high low
And evened all the scores.His hair was natty
Skin, ashy greyThe clothes wrinkled, soiled
No shoes, ugly toes(In fact he looked rather much like me.)
His shoulders bent forwardThe weight of water in a bucket
Pulled from the spring…Going where? Home?
To a pile of splintered boards and mangled tin
Where once a house had been?As he neared my heart beat faster
Should I be afraid?Stories of looters and rapists and
Prisoners on the looseFlashed across my face.
As he passedHis eye caught mine
He raised his hand, rested it over his heartAnd left me with his blessing
“Courage, my sister. Courage.”
Can It Rain Anymore? (After Ivan with no roof)
Can it rain anymore?Can the moldy, slimy walls drip yet againWith the water’s Incessant determination to infiltrateEach and every creviceOf my house?Can the tarp flap some more?Can the wind whistle and wail and windIts way to make me feellike the hurricaneHas come all over again? Mind you, the same tarp I was so happy to getThree days afterLove at first sightThe blue glow from the top come downA romantic attraction In the boudoir.Three months after Tattered and torn Whipped and wornAll love doneThe blue glow is just damn annoying.
Can it rain anymore?Can the buckets fill to the drip drip dropThrow the bucket outIt’s reached the topDo the mopping up dance slip slip slop.Can I turn in my bedYet again, yet again?
Head to foot, foot to headIs there any dry comfort for the wearyOh dread.
The steps are all blackThe sidewalk a slideThe door jam is swollen,Can’t shut from insideThe clothes line is fullSame clothes for a weekMy black shoes are greenAnd starting to reek.
And when I thought I could take it no moreMy head bowed downMy shoulders slumped over
I glanced down the hillWhat’s that I see?The broken, bare branches Of my nutmeg tree.
And out on the end at the very tip top The tiniest leaf of green had popped.
New life—a promiseHope for the future.
I lifted my headWiped the tears from my face
Shoulders squaredResolveSigh
Thank God for the rain.
My Toes are Ugly
My toes are uglyMy face is longI’m sure I must stinkBut I really can’t tell.
Ivan passed to visitHe wasn’t so niceHe should have left quicklyBut he stayed all night.
Our roof is gone,The windows, tooThe sky is our ceiling now.We don’t know what to doAnd we don’t know when to do it.
No water in the pipesNo lights, no TVNo radio, no showersI’m sure I must stinkBut I really can’t tell.
Just a reminder to me to not take myself too seriously….
The good people in the worldHave come to our reliefWith lots of food to eatCorn beef, corn beef and corn beef.Just for some varietyA little more corn beef.
The house is quite well organizedWith only one requirementThat we put things in such a wayThat they won’t get wet again-a-ment.
So in the kitchen, Mommy’s shoesTucked underneath the cupboardIn the bathtub, Daddy’s booksAll lined up like a regiment.The clothes hang in the living roomOver three lines of telephone wire.We only hope when Tante rings from AmericaWe don’t answer with an underwear.
My face is longMy toes are uglyWe don’t know how long we can last.I’m sure I must stinkI can’t really tell,But one thing I know for sure.After sitting here with youTo tell my taleSomeone does stink.
And it’s you.
P.O.Box 3633, St George's Grenada' Telephone: 473-440-9772 email [email protected] in the USA in 1958. Dual Citizen, USA/GrenadaLived in The Caribbean since 1970 Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, and settled permanently in Grenada in 1992
EDUCATIONBerean Christian Academy, St. George’s Grenada Secondary DiplomaCedarville College, OHIO, USA BA., Biology, 1979 Freedom University FLORIDA, USA M.Ed., 1985, D.Ed., 1987
ARTSelf -Taught artist. Strong colours and contrasts characterise the paintings.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS1987 Roseau, Dominica ,Dominica Artists Guild Group Exhibit 1987 Aquarella Gallery, T’dad1991 Solo show, Roseau Dominica1993-2003 St. George's, Grenada, Annual Art Council Show 1996 Solo show, Art Grenada, Fine Art Gallery St George's, Grenada1996 Queen's Park Gallery, National Cultural Foundation Barbados, Group show Grenadian Artists 1996 Museo de Arte, 3rd Bienal, Dominican Republic1997 Organization of American States Gallery, Washington D.C Group show Grenadian artists1997 Exhibit with Oliver Benoit at Art Grenada, Fine Arts Gallery, Grenada1998 Grenada Arts Council Annual Exhibit, St. George’s, Grenada1999 Organization of American States Gallery, Washington D.C., Group Grenadian 2000 Grenada Arts Council Annual Exhibit, St. George’s, Grenada2000 Solo Exhibit at NCB House, St. George’s, Grenada online at www.spiceisle.com/mains/art2000 Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Miami Fl USA “Sierra Leone Series” and Residency2000 Aalan City Gallery, Germany Group Show from Grenada Arts Council 2001- Group of 4—Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Miami FL USA--”Immigration and Boundaries” 2001 Group Show, DVG, Miami Herald--Black History Month"2001 Miami-Dade Com. College, Miami FL USA "Sierra Leone Series"2001 DVG "Africanado" Exhibit at Port of Miami, FL USA2001 LaCrit Law Conference, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA "Sierra Leone Series"2001 Spice Jazz Festival, Grenada, "Art of Jazz" Susan/Asher Mains 2001 IV Bienal Del Arte Caribe, Museo de Art Moderno, Santo Domingo Dominican Republic 2002 University of the West Indies Country Conference, Grenada, “Beyond Walls” 2002 Grenada Arts Council Annual Exhibit, Grenada2002 Washington DC, OAS Gallery-28th Anniversary of Grenada’s Independence2002 "Rude Awakening" Manhatten, New York; Group Show Diaspora Vibe Gallery2002 Grenada Spice Jazz Festival “The Art of Jazz” Group Show Caribbean Art Exchange2002 Art Basel Miami, Group Show “Inter/Sections” Diaspora Vibe Gallery 2003 Grenada Art Council 39th Annual Exhibit2003 Gallery of Caribbean Art, Barbados, Two Person show with Oliver Benoit “Parallel Disparity”2003 Diaspora Vibe Group Exhibit “Parallel Horizons” , Institute of Culture, Aruba2003 V Caribbean Bienal, Museo de Arte Moderno, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic2003 Art Basel Miami, Group Show “Strata” Diaspora Vibe Gallery2004 Habitat Caribbean, Barbados2004 Alliance Francaise, Grenada, VISAGES, 8 Year Retrospective of the Mask Series
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Barclays Bank Plc, DominicaNational Commercial Bank, GrenadaCable & Wireless, GrenadaSpice Island Beach Resort, GrenadaCoyaba Beach Resort, GrenadaFlamboyant Hotel, GrenadaYoung Sounds FM Radio, GrenadaColombian Emeralds, Int’l, GrenadaGovernment of China on TaiwanTexaco West Indies Ltd.Bel Air Plantation Resort, GrenadaBlue Horizons Cottages, GrenadaCoral Sands Hotel, BarbadosAT & T Wireless InternationalVarious Personal Collections in the Caribbean, North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
PUBLICATIONS
Spicy, Discover Grenada, Catalogue of 3rd Bienal of Museo de Arte, SantoDomingo, Greetings Magazine , Review Miami New Times, Mar 1, 2001Visual Art As a Sustainable Resource, Paper Presented at University of the West Indies Country Conference, Jan 2002Cariforum Magazine, “Contemporary Art in Grenada” Article, Mar 2002The Discover Magazine, “Drawing on the Spirit of the Kalinago” Article Nov 2003Organizing committee group shows from Grenada to Barbados, Dominican Republic, Washington D.C., USAPresident of Grenada Arts Council 1997-1999Founder and Director of Caribbean Art Exchange, 2000—Curated Grenada Exhibit for the V Bienal of Caribbean Art
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