Dominica’s renowned artist Earl Darius Etienne has passed away.
A family member confirmed to Dominica News Online (DNO) that the painter died at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) today (Feb 23) following a long battle with cancer.
Etienne who is well-known for his ability to work with a variety of materials from canvas, wood, paper, fabric to old recycled jeans, -his styles and genres of painting also varied- returned to Dominica just this week, after being flown to Martinique for medical treatment.
During his nearly 50-year-career, Earl D. Etienne exhibited his works in Dominica, in the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Europe (Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria…) and in the United States.
In his younger days, he was determined to become an artist by profession and fought and pushed his way to the top, focusing on his studies and giving all that he had to make it happen.
In the early 1980s, he was awarded an Organization of the American State (OAS) Fellowship to study fine art at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica.
He is also well-known for a very unique technique called smoking. While studying, he had an accident involving fire which inspired him to develop his own unique style of using the image formed by soot, applied directly from a flame, in his artistic work.
Through fire and heat, Etienne created art on wood. His works also embody African and Caribbean souls with his depictions of traditional dance, dancers, and carnival. His works are influenced by ancestral, spiritual, social, cultural, and physical elements of his Caribbean environment.
Upon his return to Dominica after graduation in 1986, he took up a post as Cultural Officer in the Ministry of Culture while continuing to paint. This arrangement allowed him to mentor a new generation of Dominican artists and create a basis for a serious Art Industry in Dominica.
As an artist, Ettiene grew from basic Caribbean landscape portrayals to highly-sophisticated expressions and techniques.
He has done pieces reflecting history, lifestyle, people, culture, struggles, and much more. His portrayals of Hurricane Maria, for example, capture the pain, turmoil and regeneration of this powerful force of nature.
The well-respected artist has held the Kalinago people close to his heart and this too, is reflected in his paintings.
Beloww you will find a link to Etienne’s Facebook page containing posts of his work:
I was priveliged to meet the man twice, first at a Ross art exposition (in his coveralls) and again in his home/studio at Jimmit. He was a pillar to humanity and a man that oozed Dominica. Affable and generous, I will never forget him and his art. Thank you.
Didn’t know you, however, carrying the name of my ancestors it’s only befitting to wish your family condolences on your passing and you, RIEP🙏🏾🙏🏾.
It would have been nice to include some of his work to add a visual aspect to support the article. He was an avid Facebook poster, the same could have been gotten from his page.
RIP Earl. You were as irie as it gets.
ADMIN: Point taken. We have a provided a link to his Facebook page at the end of the article.
May I suggest that a fitting tribute to Earl Etienne would be a major retrospective exhibition of his work. This is the least that the Cultural Division could do in return for the years of faithful service he has given to that department. But with respect to Earl, it must be done to the highest standard, complete with a definitive catalogue.
Some years ago the Cultural Division announced the formation of a National Collection of Art. I have heard nothing about it since, but now would be a good time to revive that intuitive.
A true Patriot! Will be missed. Irreplaceable! Condolences to the entire family. May he rest in peace>
R.I.P Earl. He was a tower of power in the culture of Dominca especially in Art. Condolences to his family. May his work and fame grow from strength to strength with each passing decade.
Rest in peace Earl. The heavens await your arrival and warm embrace. Condolences to his family, relatives, friends and well wishers.
Patriotic….kind….cheerful…..wonderful person. Dominica has lost a good person. Strong to our culture. Family please bury him in that favorite Sensay of his.
Rest In Power, Hebrew.
That smile in the photo is how I will remember you. Dominica lost another son of the soil, who made us all feel better through art. S.I.P
Oh no! I’m very sad to see this. His work was so great. RIP.
Meeting with you at your home and studio after decades without any contact was really special to both of us. You treated me as a brother. Most people knew you as a painter but have no idea of how good you cooked. On my second visit to your home, brother, I was told that you out of state for medical treatment and I kept asking about you. Visited your wife to ask how she was managing – She seemed very strong. On hearing the sad news from someone I had spoken well of you, I stood looking out my window far into the horizon for quite a while. The day before I was looking at your house from my photo album. You were extremely kind to me throughout. Earl was a friend to me. We spoke of everything. At one meeting at his house I brought up the subject of Jesus Christ and he calmly told me of his thoughts. Unlike many, he didn’t brush off the subject. I will cherish those pics we took together inside your beautiful house. May you find mercy; is my prayer 🙏. Good bye my friend, Earl.
My Deepest Condolences to all the family near and Far.
Earl may you redt in Everlasting Peace. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Rest in peace my Earl Ettiene.I remember as a young high school student I had an art project where we were suppose to pick an artist anywhere in the world and do a summary of their life and work.Instead I chose to focus on our very own Mr Ettienne.I went to his home in Jimmit and he was so helpful and gracious to me.A true patriot with the heart of a saint.I will keep his dear family in my prayers.
May your soul rest in peace Earl. I own one of your more traditional paintings, which transfers me back to a piece of traditional life in Dominica and keeps me grounded. Thank you for that.
One of the greatest artist Dominica has ever produced. Rest in peace comrad. I do hope that some of Earl’s works can be secured in a museum so that future generations can admire and appreciate his artistic talents as we have enjoyed while he was alive.
This is very sad news.
Accomplished visual artists are few on the ground in Dominica and Earl was one of the best. He was always ready to recognize and encourage both established and emerging artists. His role in the arts will be a difficult one to replace.
My condolences to Earl,s family A great artist who added much to Dominica;s art history
Rest In Peace Great Son of La Dominique.
So sad. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Oh no! This one is painful……RIEP with the ancestors my brother and dear friend. To the entire family; Miranda, Cindy, Flynn, Lappet and others deepest sympathies.
My bro, your legacy will live on in the many wonderful works of art you created over the years. I remember one of your most early and cherished pieces depicting the said “Ugly Willy” whom the younger generation will not know. According to you bro, it was to highlight the plight of the less fortunate roaming the streets of Roseau. I still have one of those and will cherish it forever.
Safe journey to the other side my boy!
