John Obafemi Jones opened his ‘Revelations’ exhibit at Cane Roots Art Gallery in downtown Christiansted on March 17 to a crowd of 100 art enthusiasts. He shares 19 diverse works in his solo show that takes the viewers to the blues musicians in his hometown in Ellaville, Georgia, and to jazz at the Blue Moon Cafe in Frederiksted.
The Caribbean Bamboula dancers liven up the canvases dressed in white — swirling their dresses against the patterned background of blue — bringing the viewers into the rhythm of the dance. He reflects upon various remembrances, from his protest collage pieces to the expressions of contentment in his paintings of family.
Jones’ themes of tradition, unity, and power in the compilation of his paintings set the tone that reflects his life experiences. His body of work resonates with musical rhythms of jazz and blues, a feature that has always unified his work in the past and continues to complement his new works at Cane Roots.
The Revelations exhibit will be the focus of mindful meditation on April 16, the closing day of the show. Cane Roots gallerist Sonia Deane and Breast Cancer Advocate for the US Virgin Islands Diane Hampton have collaborated on behalf of the VI Breast Cancer Project. The Care Grant 2021 is sponsored by the St. Croix Foundation for Art Therapy for breast cancer and all cancer survivors.
Deane will take breast cancer participants through a mindful medication — a process to look within after they’ve viewed Jones’ artwork, “Culture Bearer.” At the end of the meditation, the participants will have the opportunity to share their inner thoughts with each other. This art therapy healing process is a therapeutic modality that can offer them the technique to create self-healing and self-care.
According to Hampton, the environment of Jones’ exhibit, which is mostly of Caribbean women, is a safe one for the participants. April is National Minority Health Awareness Month, and these meditations will be offered twice this month at the gallery.
Revelations will open for the last viewing on April 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Mindful Meditation will accommodate participants from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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