The north coast village of Calibishie was recently the venue of an art exhibition displaying the work of the leading artist from that community. Chase Lawrence mounted the exhibition to display his recent work which featured the heritage and natural sites of the area as well as focusing on the indigenous Kalinago people and their culture since Calibishie was once a Kalinago village.
Chase began painting at aged 13 but has recently concentrated totally on the production and marketing of his skills as a self-trained painter.
The opening night was attended by Lawrence’s family and friends as well as fellow artists from other parts of Dominica. There were cultural performances and a raffle of some of the paintings on display. One of the paintings which attracted the most comments and attention was his depiction of the present and past Prime ministers of Dominica set against the national flag.
Other paintings recreated Calibishie village life in the 1930s including early types of sailing boats used by village fishermen, the hauling of houses in the koudmen tradition, and the traditional architecture of small wooden houses roofed with wooden shingles.
The Kalinago section was highlighted with a painting of canoes coming into Pointe Baptiste bay and Kalinago people in various poses. Although a number of the paintings have already been sold, many others are still on display at Lawrence’s art gallery on the Calibishie main road in the centre of the village.
Every other male seems to be angry except the superimposed king in the back smiling and towering over the rest of them………. well would one expect the artist to employ aesthetic plurality, rather than politically motivated, but I do,…we all understand.
And he is so right about his position in the portrait because where money is concerned, in his mind, Skeritt is King of Dominica.
Tell me, why is the airport not named after the first Prime Minister of the country?
Guess what, Amber Guyger was found guilty. A very rear occasion when a police in America kills a black man. Change is a must, and with patience but diligence, it will come.
Hi. Sorry you feel that way about the portraits of the prime ministers. Your accessment was misguided though, it wasn’t politically motivated. From the bottom they flow chronologically up to the present. And if you notice there is a space after the current prime minister that’s for the next prime minister. I know politics affects every aspect of our lives but the exhibition was of our history as such it had to be included. Peace
Dude you are way too angry, Mamo smiling too lol…..lighten up please. Stop seeing subliminal messages in everything and making everything political. Skerrit is famous for his dimples so he’s smiling lol. Personally I can’t stand the man but I don’t see anything wrong with painting.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you Chase. Hats of to you my former student.
You left out the late Honourable Frank Baron, the first Chief Minister of Dominica and, the late Honourable Edward Leblanc, the first Premier of Dominica.
Note that this was specifically a painting of PRIME MINISTERS who served Dominica SINCE INDEPENDENCE. The people whom you mentioned served as Chief Minister and Premier BEFORE INDEPENDENCE.
This is so refreshing from Calibishie and from Chase. Another of the villages I grew up in. Talented Artistic family – his dad, Edva Lawrence is a talented artist as well.
The themes chosen for his exhibition selection are quite striking and captures the epitome of socio-political and cultural change that characterizes Calibishie and, in many ways, not dissimilar to some other communities.
GREAT WORK CHASE!!
Whooooooaaaa, this is great. Thanks DNO for sharing so openly, must have raised the profile and confidence of these young people out there in the rural village, where intellectualism, talent, discipline, commitment to people and village. Those engaged in tis marvellous art I urge you all to continue and open a small “View House”, where villagers and passer`s by will stop and have a good look. A great opportunity to Uplift your village, your birth place, birth right. Go for it, consider other artistic works that yo many wish to brig out and be proud of your selves.
Congratulations: your parents and family and friends must be proud of your all.
God`s Blessings and guidance e. Amen. Keep it up
Thumps up to him and the others for putting their talent to use
Beautiful.
Admin: How can someone get in-touch with the painter? I am interested in one of the paintings.
ADMIN: Contact information has been requested for the artist. We will update article as soon as it is received.