81.4 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchives'Barracones, The Migration of Virgin Islanders' On Display at Reichhold Gallery

'Barracones, The Migration of Virgin Islanders' On Display at Reichhold Gallery

April 1, 2005 – A collection of photographs by Ciprian Ramirez entitled "Barracones, The Migration of Virgin Islanders," is showcased for the months of March & April in the Reichhold Center for the Arts' Art Gallery.
The industrialization of the sugar industry in 1885 was the catalyst of the migratory movement of the peoples of the Lesser Antilles to San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic to work in the existing sugar cane industry. Moreover, the twenty-two candid images that are on display in the gallery are of the descendants and older original immigrants. The immigrants from the Virgin Islands were confronted as outcasts by the locals who called them "cocolos" because of the blackness of their skin. While resisting discrimination, these immigrants managed to establish themselves and had a great impact on the local culture. The cocolos contribution to the local culture in San Pedro de Macoris has been remarkable. The photographs capture the cultural integration of the cocolos with the black Haitians who were also immigrants to the Dominican Republic.
Ciprian Ramirez, a native of the Dominican Republic, was born and raised in the province of San Pedro de Macoris. Ciprian graduated from the University Autonoma de Santo Domingo, as a medical doctor of psychiatry with a specialty in psychoanalysis. In 1979 Doctor Ramirez completed a course in artistic photography at the University Apec, and later participated in the first exposition of the Collective of Plastic Arts in the Caso De Teatro. Over the years, Dr. Ramirez continued his art education with advance courses in color photography, and later participated in numerous collective expositions.
Through his art Dr. Ramirez has honored the strength and courage of the men who worked on the plantations and thus created the body of art known as "Barracones." Dr. Ramirez's unique photographic style is showcased in the official palace in San Pedro de Macoris. Today, Dr. Ramirez is the co-chairman of the Centro de Arte regional Mario La O. This gallery and art institute was named for a childhood myth. Dr. Ramirez also created the series "Maria La O" depicting a goddess who emerges from the ocean and metamorphoses from innocence to sensuality.
The Reichhold Center for the Arts' Art Gallery and African Arts Display is located in the lower lobby of the facility. The Gallery and Display are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Group tours and appointments are available.
For more information regarding the art display and for tours contract Myrshem H. George, the Reichhold Center's marketing manager, at 693-1563.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.