Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art
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Infinite Island presents some eighty works made in the last six years that reflect the region’s dynamic mix of cultures, its diasporas, and its socio-political realities, all of which are constantly transforming themselves. The forty-five emerging and established artists, who work both in the Caribbean and abroad, represent multiple perspectives as they explore the complexities of Caribbean history and identity. Including painting, sculpture, photography, prints and drawings, video, and installation, the exhibition is grouped around themes that encompass history, memory, politics, myth, religion, and popular culture.
The exhibition is curated by Tumelo Mosaka, Associate Curator of Exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum.
Sponsored by Forest City Ratner Companies.
The exhibition is made possible by the Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Exhibition Fund and the Barbara and Richard Debs Exhibition Fund. Generous support is contributed by the Peter Norton Family Foundation, the American Center Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding is contributed by the Friends of Brooklyn Museum, the Mondriaan Foundation, Amsterdam, and the Consulate General of the Netherlands.
The accompanying catalogue is supported by a Brooklyn Museum publications endowment established by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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Organizing Deparment
Special Exhibition
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This moderated panel discussion took place at the Museum on November 17, 2007. Scholars and artists included Miguel Luciano, Raquel Z. Rivera, and Sujatha Fernandes discussing the cultural impact of different popular Caribbean musical styles, including soca, calypso, reggae, mambo, and merengue.
This moderated panel discussion took place at the Museum on October 27, 2007. Scholars and artists included Elizabeth McAlister, John Amira, and Marta Vega discussing the ways belief functions in the daily life of Caribbean peoples within the islands and in New York.
Artist Hew Locke discusses his work El Dorado in the exhibition Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art. This talk took place at the Museum on September 21, 2007.
Artist Joscelyn Gardner discusses her work Creole Portraits II (A Collection of Singular & Scarce Portrait Heads to Perpetuate the Memory of the Women of Egypt Estate in Jamaica) in the exhibition Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art. This talk took place at the Museum on September 21, 2007.
In the work Say It Loud!, artist Satch Hoyt piles five hundred books on the subject of the black Diaspora to create a literal platform for free speech and discussion. Omitting the word “black” from the chorus of the late James Brown’s “Say It Loud! I’m Black and I’m Proud!,” Hoyt invites viewers to climb the installation to a microphone and substitute a word of their choice. These recordings took place at the Museum during Target First Saturdays on October 6, and November 3, 2007. Satch Hoyt (b. United Kingdom 1957; works in United States). Say It Loud!, 2004. Five hundred books, white metal staircase, and microphone with four speakers, wall text; dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artist
Artist Hew Locke speaks about his work Vita, Veritas, Victoria (Life, Truth, Victory) at the Brooklyn Museum on September 21, 2007. The background music in this video is part of another artwork in the exhibition and not related to Vita, Veritas, Victoria (Life, Truth, Victory). Hew Locke (b. United Kingdom 1959). Vita, Veritas, Victoria (Life, Truth, Victory). Cord, beads, tape, and glue. Courtesy of the artist, created for the exhibition
Artist Raquel Paiewonsky speaks about her work Levitando: A un solo pie (Levitating: On One Foot) at the Brooklyn Museum on September 21, 2007. Raquel Paiewonsky (b. Dominican Republic 1969). Levitando: A un solo pie (Levitating: On One Foot), 2003. Beeswax, panty hose, cable 118 1/8 x 118 1/8 x 157 1/2 in. (300 x 300 x 400 cm). Courtesy of the artist
Artist Deborah Jack speaks about her work Bounty at the Brooklyn Museum on September 21, 2007. The background music in this video is part of another artwork in the exhibition and is not related to Bounty. Deborah Jack (b. Netherlands 1970; works in United States). Bounty, 2006. Slides in light boxes; each light box 10 x 10 in. (25.4 x 25.4 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Miami, Florida
Artist Polibio Diaz speaks about his work Untitled at the Brooklyn Museum on September 21, 2007. Polibio Diaz (b. Dominican Republic 1952). Untitled, 2003. Chromogenic print. 39 5/16 x 59 in. (99.9 x 149.9 cm). Courtesy of the artist
Artist Annalee Davis speaks about her work Just Beyond My Imagination at the Brooklyn Museum on September 21, 2007. Annalee Davis (b. Barbados 1963). Just Beyond My Imagination, 2007. Carpet, flagpole, metal cut-outs, 84 x 168 x 164 in. (213.4 x 426.7 x 416.6 cm). Courtesy of the artist, created for the exhibition