The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

MOST airports are fast moving spaces. Even in the Bahamas, the newly renovated Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport fits the norm. However, the wide variety of art installed in the recently opened arrivals terminal is sure to slow a person down, if only for a passing gaze.

Bahamian artist Jolyon Smith is one of five artists who have work on display in the new airport terminal: “The Tree of Life” and “Bahamas Experience”.

“The Tree of Life was a divine idea. I can’t explain it any other way than that. It really came from the gut. With the other piece, the approach was typical, where the development of that was kind of logical. With the Tree of Life, it was rather an inspiration. The minute the idea came to me, I knew it came from another source,” said Mr Smith.

The three dimensional, 12ft high sculpture is made from Grade 316 stainless steel. It was inspired by the mangrove plant. It sits peacefully in the Exploration Garden, which is an outdoor courtyard connecting the US terminal with the arrival’s terminal.

“It is not a literal mangrove tree, but it borrows elements from it. By observation you can tell that it is a Mangrove Tree, because of the root system. However, the execution of it is broader and it incorporated a lot of principles, ideas and concepts, some of which were cultural,” said Mr Smith.

The colour combinations reflect a festive and vibrant spirit, speaking to the Bahamian sense of community.

“All of that was represented in there and on a deeper level, it speaks to a sense of community. What I mean by that is the Mangrove plant in nature represents a sort of safe haven, it is where various forms of life congregate to procreate,” said Mr Smith.

“It is kind of revisiting Bahamian tradition where families and neighbours used to come under the big tree to tell stories and share good times. This is where they develop bonds, and out of that bond, became a healthy community. It is a positive and beautiful thing to look at. It is meant to inspire and to motivate,” he said.

Mr Smith said there were a few challenging moments in creating the piece over the past two years. He took the time to learn and to embrace faith, even in the difficult moments.

“I was the only one dealing with two major projects and I delivered on time and I did it at a level I am proud of,” he said.

“I really appreciate how (the Nassau Airport Development Company) approach all of this and that they didn’t take the typical approach by engaging other artists from other countries. Especially something on this scale, the confidence level in the Bahamian artist has not always been to this level and this is refreshing. NAD for one, took us seriously enough and had the confidence and courage to give us the chance. I think that all artists, including myself, rose to the occasion and delivered in a way that was significant and noteworthy. Everybody did a marvellous job and no one fell down. They all delivered excellent top notch work. It just proves what we have known within the art community for a long time now that we are worthy of the world stage and we are on the level of everyone else out there globally,” said Mr Smith.

The “Bahamas Experience” installation is located in a section of the airport called Site 9, Departure Core Pier B. The piece showcases the beauty of the islands as a collection of stamps and postcards. The artwork is an assemblage of 16 stretched canvases

“It is a good and humbling feeling to know that those pieces are there permanently for people all around the world to see. I’m not one that likes too much of attention, but I must say that I am just having a good feeling knowing that I had the opportunity to create. That is what drove me, not so much getting recognition for it, but having my ideas executed and brought to fruition. Now they exist, it is not just an idea in my head,” said Mr Smith.