Art in Motion: Visual Arts Take Centre Stage at CARIFESTA XV

Janice Whittle - Curator of the Visual Arts Exhibition, CARIFESTA XV

When we speak, our vowels curl with rhythm. When we walk, our posture paints a portrait. When we cook, the flavours on the plate mirrors the palette of our souls. The Caribbean, in all its colour and cadence, is art in motion, and nowhere will that be more evident than in the Visual Arts exhibition of CARIFESTA XV, opening this August in the heart of Bridgetown. Appearing on CBC TV8’s Mornin’ Barbados, Janice Whittle, Curator of the Visual Arts exhibition and a veteran of nine CARIFESTA festivals, shared her deep connection to the regional celebration.

Her years of experience and storytelling underscore the emotional and cultural weight of the event. “Everybody wants it to work right. It brings out the best in people,” she said, recounting a touching moment with a security guard she met at a previous festival in Suriname who later reconnected years down the line. For Whittle, these personal exchanges are the heartbeat of the festival. This year, the regional visual arts exhibition will be staged at Norman Centre in Bridgetown, a familiar and accessible venue that successfully hosted the showcase in 2017.

The selection process was a collaborative effort. Each participating country conducted a jury process and submitted its strongest pieces. Countries such as Dominica, Suriname, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia and St. Kitts have already confirmed their participation, bringing with them diverse interpretations of the theme, "Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence." Whittle sees visibility and recognition across the region as essential. In past CARIFESTA festivals, Barbados has enjoyed moments of prominence, but the goal now is wider celebration, deeper participation, and more opportunity for Caribbean artists to shine. “Yes, you can be a genius, but if nobody discovers you, who are you?” she posed.

The exhibition is a stage for discovery, for building legacy, for watching value grow before your eyes. Visitors can expect to see everything from sculpture and photography to contemporary paintings influenced by graphic design and digital platforms. Whittle commented on Instagram’s impact, observing that it reshapes how visual narratives are constructed and shared. The exhibition reflects that shift, honouring tradition while embracing aesthetic transformation.

Beyond the Norman Centre, the visual programme blooms across Bridgetown. Queen’s Park Gallery will feature an exhibition of its own, curated by some of Barbados’ finest, including respected curator and artist Oneka Small, Rodney Ifill, and Akilah Watts, promising to bring the city’s walls alive with Caribbean storylines, bold palettes, and shared identity. Watts, known for her powerful portraiture, and Ifill, whose work embraces texture and symbolism, add depth and distinction to a city already steeped in beauty.

There will also be a special exhibition from the Barbados National Collection, tracing the island’s creative evolution since 1941. This historic perspective reminds us that the brushstrokes of today are layered upon the work of those who painted before. CARIFESTA XV runs from 22 to 31 August 2025, with the Visual Arts exhibitions open to the public throughout. Norman Centre, located in the heart of the city, ensures that art is not hidden away. It’s something you walk right into, whether you plan to or not. This exhibition is a mirror, a celebration, and a conversation. Whether you are moved by sculpture, captivated by colours that leap off the canvas, or drawn in by brushwork that sings in silence, CARIFESTA’s visual arts programme offers a journey into the Caribbean soul.

In this region, our artistic flavour defines us. Whether you're painting a dish or a canvas, it’s still art, it’s still us, and it’s always, unmistakably, Caribbean.