Sheena Rose Soars From Town To Town

In this edition of Hidden Gems, we are introducing you to the spunky and spontaneous visual artist that is Sheena Rose. Sheena not only paints, but also creates thought provoking animations. Sheena started drawing at the young age of 5, putting up pictures of flowers and other doodles in her room, as well as selling them to her parents for 5 and 10 cents a pop. Even though she also had a love for music, she decided to pursue her art as it captured her more.

Visual artist Sheena Rose (All photos by Mikey Rapley)

Sheena has studied at the Barbados Community College (BCC) where she earned an Associate degree in visual arts as well as a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts. During her time at BCC, she learnt a lot of different media techniques, such as print making, photography, drawing and painting. Even though she focused mainly on painting during her Bachelor’s, she also taught herself animation during that time. Her fist animations were very surreal and dreamlike, which she says made her audience feel uncomfortable.

“Dreams are supposed to be hard to understand, which is why I liked how people responded.”

After leaving BCC she decided she wanted to be a full-time artist. Being inspired by the interactions of the people in Bridgetown, she then created an animation known as “Town” which was well received so much so that David Bailey, a curator from London who was working with the National Art Gallery Committee, saw the piece and was interested in showcasing it among other international artists.

Sheena has since shown in Trinidad, where she took part in a 24 hour residency in 2009 funded by the Lesley’s Legacy Foundation. From there, Alice Yard recommended her to showcase some work in Connecticut. In mid 2010, Sheena was granted an opportunity through Christopher Cozier to take part in another artist residency, but this time in South Africa. This was a 3 month residence in Cape Town.

Upon her return home, Sheena made the decision that she definitely wanted to become an international artist, as she never thought she would be travelling to the places she had. In early 2011, she was invited to teach at the Tembe Art Studio, Suriname, for 3 months, as well as to put up an installation for them.

“While I was in Suriname I used to brag about how Barbados had this, and how we have that. But when I returned home, I realised how much we actually don’t have. We don’t have a lot of art centres or spaces.”

This is when she decided to create “Projects and Space”, which is deigned to be a group where all types of artists could come together, network and collaborate. There are monthly meetings at different public locations, each with its own new artistic adventure.

“I wanted to show that we do not NEED to have official spaces to be creative. I also do not see this as a ‘Sheena Rose’ project, but as a collaboration of all artists in the community.”

Since leaving BCC, Sheena has always wanted to have her own solo show. In addition, she wanted her first one to be at the Community College itself. Just over a week ago, on 11/11/11, that dream came through. Sheena’s very first solo show, known as “Town to Town” opened at the Barbados Community College. The artwork in the show represents not only the similarities but also the contrast between the town she grew up in, Bridgetown, and the town where her residency was, Cape Town.

Sheena wanted to be the first past student to have a solo show at BCC, and hence the reason for opening her first solo show at the institute. She is also hoping that her show will inspire current students to pursue their dreams by showing that they can leave BCC and move onto bigger things.

Sheena would just like to say a special thank you for those who made her solo show a success; Central Bank and the Lesley’s Legacy Foundation for funding the show, the Barbados Community College and Alice Yard for sponsorship, and Rose’s Kitchen and Cute as a Cupcake for supplying the goodies at the opening.

“Town to Town” will be open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, until November 25^th.

In part 2, you will find out what inspires Sheena Rose’s art and who has influenced her to follow her dreams, as well as insight into the photo shoot, which took place on a busy day in Bridgetown!

This is a Hidden Gems feature. Every other week, Mikey Rapley will interview young and talented Bajans who deserve a chance to shine in the spotlight. Next week will be part 2 of his interview with Sheena Rose.