Oil and watercolors are the two most widely used techniques of the local artist. With the colorful influence and broad styles of neighboring Haiti and the Dominican Republic, a new style of Turks & Caicos art is emerging to further define the scenes, themes and subject matter for young and upcoming artists as they capture the culture on canvas.
Phillip Outten, June Taylor and Ianthe George are three prominent local artists whose works standout and find their way on to the walls of many homes and businesses on the Islands and abroad. The Bamboo Gallery on Providenciales, offers a wide range of local and Caribbean pieces for sale and both Phillip Outten and Jean Taylor own and run their own art galleries and welcome one and all to visit and view their works. Additional artist web site links include:
The art of basket weaving, plaiting palm leaves for straw hats, net making, binding mosquito brushes, and weaving fanner dishes and bowls is very much alive in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The majority of these craftsmen and women are found in the three settlements on Middle Caicos: Conch Bar, Bambarra and Lorimers.
Farming and fishing was the way of life for the people in the Caicos Islands and the need for these items necessitated this type of work. Nets were needed for catching fish and turtles. Baskets and bags were required to collect and transport the catch and the crops. Hats were used to provide shade during the long hours in the hot sun. Fanner dishes were ideal to separate the chafe from the corn when making grits. Mosquito brushes were useful in keeping the bugs away in the fields. Broom and brushes made from silver palmtop leaves were used to keep the house and yard clean.
Many of the craftspeople donate their time and skills for teaching and training the young people of the settlements. All with the intention of keeping the technique of making these crafts alive. These skills are a very important part of our culture and need to be preserved and passed on for future generations.
On your next visit to Middle Caicos, check out the Middle Caicos Co-op in Conch Bar. You can also visit the Middle Caicos Co-op in Blue Hills while in Providenciales or the National Trust office, where a wide range of local straw work and straw crafts are on display and available for sale.
Artists in the Caribbean are blessed with an environment ripe for inspiration and in Turks & Caicos the sparkling turquoise waters along with the colorful characters of the local population provide even more drama and stimulation for sketches, paintings, drawings and craft work.
