Rae Garnes Presents First Solo Exhibition, Remembering Identity, in Barbados
Barbadian artist Rae Garnes brings together portraiture, abstraction and reflections on heritage, memory and community in Remembering Identity, his first solo exhibition at the Gallery of Caribbean Art in Speightstown. Open to the public from 2 to 14 November 2026, the exhibition marks an important milestone in the artist's creative journey.
The Gallery of Caribbean Art in Speightstown, Barbados, is presenting Remembering Identity, a solo exhibition by Barbadian artist Rae Garnes. Following its opening reception on 31 October, the exhibition continues through 14 November, inviting visitors to explore a collection shaped by personal experiences, cultural connections and artistic expression.
Centred on the intersections of heritage, memory and artistic freedom, Remembering Identity brings together several dimensions of Garnes' practice. Through portraits of family, friends and neighbours, depictions of urban environments, floral and scenic compositions, and abstract works, the exhibition considers the many ways identity is formed and expressed.
The collection moves between familiar subjects and more experimental approaches. Portraiture places relationships and shared experiences at the forefront, while the urban landscapes reflect the rhythms of everyday life. His floral and scenic works reveal an appreciation for nature, while abstraction offers a space for exploration beyond recognisable forms.
For Garnes, abstraction remains particularly significant. It represents the foundation of his artistic practice and continues to provide an opportunity for uninhibited expression across different materials and techniques, including brush, pen and mixed media. Influences such as Ras Ishi Butcher and Jean-Michel Basquiat can be seen in aspects of his abstract work, alongside a developing visual language that is distinctly his own.
About Rae Garnes
Born in Barbados in 1981, Garnes began experimenting with creative materials during childhood, working with paper, wire and plasticine. Largely self-taught, he later received training through the Youth Achieving Results Programme and the Barbados Community College. In 2007, he was named Youth Artist of the Year.
His contribution to Barbados' visual arts landscape extends beyond exhibition spaces. Garnes has created several public art projects, including the HIV/AIDS awareness mural at Eden Lodge, the Deacons Community Sports mural and Remembering Us for the National Conservation Commission. In 2024, he also completed a rubaroc mural installation at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheater.
His experience within the cultural sector includes serving as assistant to the curator of the Queens Park Gallery and as a judge for Junior and Grand Kadooment. He was also part of Barbados' CARIFESTA contingent to Suriname in 2008.
Remembering Identity represents Garnes' first solo exhibition, bringing together years of artistic exploration and community engagement in a presentation that offers audiences a closer look at his creative journey.
Visit the Exhibition
Art enthusiasts and visitors to Barbados can view Remembering Identity at the Gallery of Caribbean Art, located on Queen's Street in Speightstown, St. Peter.
Exhibition: Remembering Identity
Artist: Rae Garnes
Dates: November 2 - 14, 2026
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Gallery of Caribbean Art, Queen's Street, Speightstown, St. Peter, Barbados.
Image acknowledgements: Photographs courtesy of Disa Forde-Cook. Video footage courtesy of N. Frank Holder.
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