Omowale  Stewart

Born: April 21, 1950

Detail of "Blues Moods" Acrylic 24” x 36” Date:1999, Location: Artist collection Stylized painting of three jazz musicians jamming, monochromatic rendering in shades of blue. « previous image next image »

Occupation: Artist, designer

Art Education:

School: Self-taught College/University: University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Date: 1978-1981

Statement

My Caribbean is a socio-cultural diversity. These former jewels in Europe’s crown are still precious. We are a people whose roots are based on slavery and survival. We have evolved a common spirit and energy and a unique style evident in our cultural expressions. Our roots run deep and are connected to a soul, a consciousness and a vision. Our Art must go beyond ordinary conception and must inspire awe. It must impress the mind, the eye and the soul. This Art must reflect heritage, passion, purpose, style, and attitude. It must be seen as a whole, giving and receiving while enhancing our lives. As a privileged son, informed and sustained by this collective conscience, I attempt to understand, interpret and record this experience using my gifts of sight, skill, mind, and soul. Affirming that Art must be emotionally, intellectually and technically sound.

Keyworks:

Lest We Forget, 1978, oil, Barbados   Tante, 1980, oil, Barbados   Facing the Sun, 1996, acrylic, Barbados   Caribbean Princess, 1995, acrylic, Barbados   Blues Moods, 1999, acrylic, Barbados   Tiltman in Town, 1992, acrylic, Barbados   Indomnitable, 2000, acrylic, Barbados   Mahogany Enduring, 2003, acrylic, Barbados   Simply Wendy, 2007, acrylic, Barbados   Polished, 2006, acrylic, Barbados

Exhibitions (Group):

2005, Queen’s Park Gallery, Art Man Rising, Barbados   1988, Gallery Caribe, Encounter, USA   1985, Bhownagee Gallery, Movements, UK   1981, Carifesta IV, Chapters of Life, Barbados   1979, Nation House, Pulse 79, Barbados

Exhibitions (Solo):

1999, Queen’s Park Gallery, Soulful, Barbados   1995, Barclays Bank, Indivisual, Barbados   1983, Art Creators Gallery, Trinidad and Tobago   1975, Creative Arts Centre, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

Publications (Discussed):

Friends magazine, National Museum of Australia, Vol. 18 Date: 2007   Art in Barbados: What Kind of Mirror Image? Date: 1999   Black Art International, African American Art International Date: 1986-1988

Commissions (Public):

2006, mural on slavery, 15’ x 12’, Barbados   1998, portrait of National Hero, the Right Honourable Errol Walton Barrow, 12’ x 16’, Barbados

Commissions (Private):

2006, poster image for The Polished Hoe stage adaptation, Barbados   2006, Mount Gay Distilleries, Crop Over Special Edition Artists' Label, Barbados   2000, Portrait of Kamau Brathwaite, 24” x 36”, acrylic, USA

Collections (Public):

University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados   National Art Collection, Barbados   Central Bank of Barbados, Barbados

Collections (Private):

Sir Robert Sangster   P. Antonio Rudder, Barbados   Sir George Alleyne, Barbados   David Mills and Vicky Pinder, Barbados

Awards:

Various Awards for drawing and painting, National Independence Festival of Creative Arts Date: 1977-1980   The Bussa Award for Fine Art Date: 1976