Claudette Dean's Inner Sanctum to unfold October 8th

Grand Bahamian artist Claudette Dean with one of her pieces from Inner Sanctum which opens on Friday, October 8th at the PopOp Studios in Nassau and runs until November 20th.

 By Susan Mackay

Grand Bahamian artist, Claudette Dean will be showcasing her latest work at PopOp Studios until November 20th with the opening reception to take place this Friday, October 8th from 6 - 9pm.

This collection of paintings and poems depict the delicate relationship between the artist’s inner and outer world: The outer world as exposed by the personal introspective pieces, Inward Journey and Wings—intimate self portraits that reveal a passionate vulnerability, which contrast with her portrayal of an inner world using the universal metaphoric images of the lotus as an archetype of enlightenment and the feminine.

The beautiful style of the self portraits belies the fact they are acutely personal. There is realism to the emotion and a rooted longing that brings them to the cusp of raw, while a depiction of sensitivity and strength brings a warmth and compassion to the work.

 Hope by Claudette Dean

The title of the show, Inner Sanctum, gives us a hint that the paintings of the lotus flowers have a profound symbolism and connection to the self portraits. The lotus flower, in this context, clearly represents the inner world—a hope for an internal flowering, awakening. However the work is not trite, as past the realism of the images, there is a timbre, a sonorousness that becomes compelling. It takes time to allow the full wealth of these paintings to seep into the mind where they linger and resonate.

Inner Sanctum by Claudette Dean

 There is luminosity to Dean's renderings of the lotus, a depth that is beyond the imagery. Considering the lotus is used for meditation, Dean also allows the flower to reveal its layers of meaning. She creates a subtle personification of nature, which allows the essential nature and forms of the flower to become almost an abstraction. There is also a deep sense of joy and playfulness that skips through all the paintings of the lotus.

The exhibition as a complete set of work offers us an insight to the relationship between substance and fey, between life and death. It gives us hope and reminds us, by the archetypal image of the lotus, that we all have within us—an Inner Sanctum, a bud waiting to joyfully burst forth with life and wisdom.

Bahamian Artists supports Miss Bahamas Charity Auction & Braneka Bassett

Braneka Bassett stands next to a donated work of art by Claudette Dean. 

 Nassau, Bahamas - Two well-known Bahamian artists generously donated to the efforts of this year’s Miss Bahamas Contestants Launch and Charity Auction on April 9th to raise funds to support the Red Cross/Haiti Earthquake Victims.

Artists, Claudette Dean and Alisa Streather are both from Grand Bahama.

About the Artists…

CLAUDETTE DEAN

“EXPRESSING THE INEXPRESSIBLE THROUGH COLOR AND FORM”

Claudette Dean’s work is a part of the National Art Collection of the Bahamas. A Grand Bahama based artist, she was honored in 2008 by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs for her outstanding work and contribution in the realm of Fine Arts.

She has exhibited extensively since 1995, including: “Lumiere” a one woman show in Freeport Grand Bahama in 2008, “Bahamian Art, Pre-Columbian to the Present” featuring the National Art Collection at the NAGB in Nassau in 2007, “Across a Sea of Dreams” a one woman show in Canada in 2006 and NE1, NE2, NE3 and NE4 Juried Exhibitions at the NAGB.

“Sisters”, a much celebrated piece of her work, was purchased by The Paradise Island Promotion Board in 2000 and is on display at The Lynden Pindling International Airport greeting visitors as they arrive in the Bahamas.

A published artist, she is found in many private and corporate art collections in the Bahamas and abroad.


www.claudettedean.net

About the Painting: “A Girl’s Prerogative” is intended to be a light hearted painting which plays with the idea that it’s a girl’s prerogative to change her mind. It was exhibited at the inaugural exhibition of Art International in Lyford Cay in 2005 which featured catalogue with a foreword by Lady Micheline Connery wife of Sir Sean Connery. An accomplished artist, she also had a painting on display at the exhibition.

ALISA STREATHER

Donated:  “In The Groove”

Framed Original, Soft Pastel on Acid Free Light Grey Canson 

Artist Statement: As a Grand Bahamian artist I’m happy to be able to support Grand Bahama’s Braneka Bassett with the donation of an original oil painting and as a citizen of a Caribbean nation and am also very happy that this painting will be auctioned in aid of the Haitian relief efforts.
Born in Nassau, and graduated from high school in Freeport, with top awards in art. Alisa attended college in Atlanta and moved home to Grand Bahama, where she worked at Freeport Advertising.

Deciding to make a change in her career, she attended the college of the Bahamas to obtain a Teacher’s Certification.

Children have always been a pleasure to work with, and bringing out their talents in Abaco, Nassau and Grand Bahama has been and still is very fulfilling.

Alisa’s work can be seen in local and international homes, and businesses such as Geneva’s Seafood, Island Java, and Mamadoo’s Restaurant exhibits some of her work.

The Junkanoo Girl captures the spirit of junior Junkanoo, and with the funds raised by this event it is hoped that children in Haiti will greatly benefit from this endeavour. We must all work to help the children, and there by our future.

Miss Universe, Stefania Fernandez with Braneka Bassett 

 Follow Braneka Bassett and the other 16 young ladies in pursuit of the Miss Bahamas 2010 Crown on Facebook, Twitter and www.missbahamas.net