The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IN an effort to provide a space for emerging artists to show their work, the owners of Mojo’s Restaurant and Bar decided to open up their venue as a canvas of opportunity for talented Bahamians.

Partnering with Mojo’s, Allan Wallace is the first artist to display his work in this new space.

A contemporary, self-taught artist, community mentor and educator, Mr Wallace has exhibited around the Bahamas and also in the United Kingdom, the United States and the Caribbean.

Locally, he has pieces in public and private collections at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, the Central Bank of the Bahamas, the D’Aguilar Foundation and the Dawn Davies Collection.

He is also the creator of Design Strong Studios located Ruby Avenue, Cable Beach.

His murals can be seen throughout the country, as well as in international private collections.

“A few places I’ve done murals for are BTC, Baha Mar, Burns House, the D’Aguilar Foundation and the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, just to name a few. Live painting performances are also in my repertoire. I recently was asked to perform at Pandora’s Box Part Deux on February 1. It was an event put on by the Paradise Children Foundation (a non-profit organisation) that brought in more than $500,000 in the night,” Mr Wallace told Tribune Entertainment.

For the grand opening, Mojo’s Restaurant and Bar partnered with the artist, who provided original pieces to contribute specifically to the d�cor of the restaurant.

Mr Wallace said he was approached by the owners of Mojo’s to produce a body of original works for the opening.

“They loved my work and gave me complete freedom to create something the would add to the attitude of excellence. I jumped at the opportunity,” he said.

Mr Wallace created 10 pieces for the Mojo’s space. Describing one of the pieces, entitled “Bad”, Mr Wallace said it depicts a beautiful nude woman bursting with colour with a very sexy gaze. Another piece, “The Breakaway”, depicts an African ballerina joyfully prancing through the desert.

“I think it’s very important what Mojo’s is trying to do because after a while artists try to seek sponsorship for whatever it is that they are trying to do with their work, so providing a space for artists to show is always good. The feedback was all positive and encouraging, and I am happy it turned out well,” he said.

Joey Gaskins Jr, co-owner of Mojo’s Restaurant and Bar, said art is very important in telling the cultural story of the Bahamas, and young artists have an uncanny ability to put their hands and fingers on the pulse of culture in ways that he believes is valuable and should be highlighted.

He said proceeds from the sale of artwork at Mojo’s will go directly to the artists and a small percentage will be given to the curator who will be tasked with providing services for three months with a rotation of pieces changing every month.

“It will truly be difficult to see his pieces leave the space because it sincerely added to the original feel and experience we’ve worked to create within this space,” Mr Gaskins said.

“We are grateful that Allan partnered with us for the opening and look forward to having our next artist or group of artists showing next to add a similarly unique experience to the space.”