Culture

February often reduces love to romance. Flowers, dinners and fleeting gestures framed by Valentine’s Day dominate the narrative. Caribbean art tells a different story. Here, love is quieter, heavier and deeply communal. It appears not only between lovers, but between generations, neighbours, ancestors and land. Across the Caribbean, artists speak love fluently, but in languages shaped by survival, care, resistance and memory. To understand Caribbean love, we must look beyond

What would happen if artists were not constantly preoccupied with survival. If creativity was not something squeezed into evenings, weekends, or moments of exhaustion, but treated as real work that deserved stability. This question is no longer hypothetical. In Ireland, it has been tested, measured, and proven. In 2022, the Irish government launched the Basic Income for the Arts , a national pilot programme that provided artists, musicians, and creative workers with a guarant

The future of Caribbean art is shaped less by what is celebrated in the moment and more by the questions we choose to ask today. These are questions about labour, access, visibility, sustainability and trust. They are often left unspoken, yet they will determine the ecosystem for years to come. Who is included and who is left out? Caribbean art is sometimes presented as a single story, yet the region is made up of multiple histories, languages and experiences. Which artists a

As 2025 comes to a close, we look back at what the Caribbean art world gave us. There was no single defining moment or clear turning point. What the year did give us was movement, activity, connection and continuation. The work kept happening, even when attention and support shifted elsewhere. This movement showed up in exhibitions, online spaces, residencies, regional events and collaborations across countries and territories. Artists continued to work with purpose, often wi

Guyanese-born Ingrid Pollard is a pioneering photographer and media artist whose work has long challenged cultural assumptions about race, identity, and belonging. Born in 1953 in Georgetown, Guyana, and raised in London, Pollard has consistently questioned who is permitted to feel at home within British landscapes, particularly its rural spaces. Her practice centres on visibility, memory, and the quiet politics of place. As a founding member of the Association of Black Photo

In a global creative economy still negotiating whose stories are valued, resourced and sustained, Daveed Baptiste’s recent recognition by the CFDA marks a shift in how cultural authorship is being acknowledged and invested in. This is not simply a personal milestone. It is a statement about the growing recognition of diasporic voices as vital cultural and economic forces. Baptiste’s work has long resisted spectacle in favour of substance. Drawing from Caribbean heritage, migr

Jamaican visual artist Natasha Cunningham  is among the voices shaping Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer , bringing Caribbean creativity to the international stage. The feature highlights her reflections on creative reset and the role of calm and focus in her work, values that resonate strongly both in her artistic journey and the shade itself. Natasha’s artistic journey is a blend of formal training, professional experience and a fearless embrace of digital med

Today marks the closing of Festival Color Caribe in Puerto Rico, a vibrant celebration that has, for five years, brought together artists, communities and colour in a shared expression of Caribbean creativity. Mural "Love Offense", 2025 by Luis “ Güillo ” Cruz Martes This year’s festival continued the tradition of transforming public spaces into dynamic canvases, showcasing murals that capture the spirit, history, and future of the Caribbean. From this year’s installations to

Jimmy Cliff is more than a legend. He is a force whose music, spirit and vision have shaped Jamaica, the Caribbean and inspired generations around the world. Born in Jamaica in 1948, Cliff rose from humble beginnings to become one of reggae’s most influential voices, bringing the sounds and stories of his homeland to global audiences. From the vibrant rhythms of reggae to his powerful messages of resilience, hope and social justice, Cliff’s influence transcends borders, remin

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, communities across the region have once again shown what binds the Caribbean beyond geography, its people. From the smallest islands to the largest nations, there is a shared rhythm of resilience, empathy and togetherness that defines the region’s soul. At moments like these, art transcends expression and becomes language. Jamaican artist Taoszen captures this beautifully in his mural “Connection” , created in Curaçao. Four hands, each distin

Through his striking artworks, Haitian artist Kervin Andre (Akomics Art) brings history to life, celebrating the resilience and identity of Haitian culture. One of his latest pieces portrays Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the fearless revolutionary leader, surrounded by generals and figures from the era, their stances filled with authority and determination. Andre’s attention to detail is remarkable: the ornate uniforms, the richly decorated throne, and the solemn expressions all e

Religion has long been a cornerstone of Caribbean life, shaping communities, traditions, and cultural identity. Across the region, churches and places of worship are more than spiritual havens; they are living markers of history, resilience, and artistic expression. In her latest project, “A Watercolour Tribute to Historic Jamaican Churches” , artist Juliet Thorburn captures this enduring legacy with sensitivity and skill. Through delicate washes and meticulous attention to d

The Aruba Art Fair 2025, held from 5 to 7 September in San Nicolás, transformed the town into a living canvas, turning streets, plazas and public walls into an open-air gallery that celebrates creativity, community and culture. Mural collaboration by Sake Ink and Fio Silva. Image courtesy of the artists via Instagram. This year’s edition focused on the theme of Justice, inviting artists and visitors alike to explore ideas of equity, truth and transformation. But it was the st

Independence is more than a date marked by flags and parades, it's a daily act of cultural resilience. From language and land to art and memory, what does it truly mean to be free in a postcolonial Caribbean?

Caribbean music ignites visual arts, blending rhythm and colour to create vibrant expressions of culture, identity, and celebration.

Caribbean Carnival is a vibrant fusion of art, music, and dance, transforming streets into living canvases that celebrate culture

African heritage profoundly influences Caribbean visual arts, blending vibrant colours, ancestral symbols, and cultural traditions into powe

Caribbean art fuses Indigenous, African, and European influences, creating vibrant expressions of identity, resilience and cultural heritage

Trinidad, the larger of the two islands comprising the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, is a vibrant tapestry of art and culture deeply rooted

Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, is a city of contrasts, where the vibrant rhythms of reggae music and the lush landscapes blend with the hustle