Exhibition
This exhibition presented a series of works created by artist Tony Crosbie during a three-month residency in Cuba, in the artist’s first solo exhibition at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. The exhibition consisted of a series of 15 abstract paintings that chronicled the artist’s experiences and associated emotions, reflecting on themes of social injustice, identity, loss, and the struggle for freedom. Involving a mix of literal and symbolic depictions of these subjects, Crosbie’s works utilised an ambiguous yet sensitive approach to allude to the pervasive suffering and wider challenges faced by the people of Cuba.
Through his work, the artist challenged widespread preconceptions about the island nation and its communist government, adopting an open-minded perspective to address difficult conversations. Commenting on the uncensored nature of his provocative works, Crosbie stated his motivation lied in “[asking] questions through my artwork others choose to ignore”. Remarking further, the artist declared: “I didn’t set out to achieve anything. I wanted to be educated. This is not a recreational pastime for me. It’s a project that has taken over my life. There’s a fundamental truth here, which my work seeks to uncover.”
Viva Cuba was on view from 8 September – 3 October 2003 at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands’ former location at Harbour Place.
About the Artist
Tony Crosbie
b. 1956
Tony Crosbie was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1956. The self-taught artist was brought up in the inner city in a working-class family. Crosbie’s work deals with modern society, and is confrontational, expressive, passionate, and extremely personal – his life informs his work. Crosbie uses a multi-media palette, which includes painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, video, writing, and anything else he can get his hands on to express himself creatively. His first solo show in 1996 in Dublin, called New Beginning, was an autobiographical journey which dealt with the extremities of addiction and recovery. Crosbie uses his art to reveal the vulnerability and sometimes disturbing journey through his own life. His work, which is often described as confrontational and provocative, questions the definition of what art in fact is.
