Poster for Upcoming Art Show.

I am Nigerian! I speak Pidgin Bahamianese!

I have spent time doing research on this country’s history, political scene, and its religion. It is interesting for me to learn that about one score and a half years after the Fall of Columbus, almost the entire population of the native Bahamians was exterminated from the Bahama Islands. Hence many all of the cultural influences that make up the present Bahamas have come from other lands, and blends to form one unique identity. One identity of yet many constituents. What does it imply if I am Bahamian, am I an individual of various identities, or one, of one identity-the Bahamian identity?

The whole curiosity in these facts, and its’ significance makes it become important for me to make, with this Bahamian society- through the artist community in Nassau-, a collaborative intervention of interdisciplinary nature. Coming from Nigeria, I feel so much connection with the Bahamas, and the people here. There is so much similarity in many aspects of the Bahamian culture when compared with the situation in my part of Africa.

I cannot help but wonder if it has a lot to do with heritage, or with the effects of colonialism?

Perhaps for this reason, I am especially led to compose this collaborative experience with Bahamians. It is noteworthy that the artists group of participants in this project speak for every Bahamian who more than most people in the Bahamas, show through their physical demeanour, a closer kinship to Africa. This is so only because this project is about ‘one voice from Africa’ and on the other hand, a message to Nigeria.

Another reason for choosing to make an artistic statement of this nature is to through this Installation of artworks, present the mixture which is the Bahamians- a people made up of an incorporation of cultures and races- as is usually said -the melody of Europe and the rhythm of Africa. But what about the Arawak Indians? Hence, this special kind of cohabiting lifestyle and communal accommodation of one another becomes the most striking education for me. I learn this for my country, but unfortunately, it is not a law to be implemented, but a lifestyle to be emulated.

I wish to learn the views of more people- from artists here through their artwork, and words; and from other persons here through whatever means they choose, in this scheme. I hope that this procedure becomes a cathartic process on a topic such as this, whereas the public would also find many art pieces to spend time with, come to terms with, admire, appreciate, and learn from. On my part, I am interested in not only reflecting on original cultural identities, but also in providing a vision of a future in which more and more people, as migrants and permanent travelers, are becoming part of original nations, where the nation in turn becomes “unoriginal”. Is cultural identity still determined by geographical origins, ancestry or biological disposition? Perhaps it is increasingly becoming a hybrid construct that an individual can determine or change.
This intervention presents a body of work to be exhibited in Nassau, an art experience for everyone, rather than a simple exhibition of work that is solely mine. I also believe that this method will make for many people working together and sharing ideas and knowledge. I have been on a couple of residencies where I had worked on my own, and exhibited.  This time I am interested in exploring a fresh challenge; looking to bring together the feelings and voices of Bahamian artists and designers; some, out of a group of artists who have spoken a language I understand, through whose works I can feel some energy, and through whose works I wish to join in this expression.

In my home country Nigeria, this situation of cohabitation and reflections on cultural identities, should also begin to pose questions, and seek answers to the question of ‘who are my kinfolk?’ This can be seen in various dimensions.

For the “I eat Conch Salad” project, all participants contribute to a single voice. Hence, it is not intended that the designs which come into this collaboration be shown on the runway with Models, or that Paintings and Sculptures be on stands with each artist’s name and title of work, immediately against the work… We are looking for a different experience. An architectural piece of Installation to be made out of the incorporation of these strong works of art…

Each artist is acknowledged, where their ideas on the project and the concept of it is also discussed and properly documented in the written texts and publicity materials that accompanies the show.