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Abaco has its own vibrant, independent identity which Sam incorporates into her pieces. “Abaco Arise'' (seen left) is a symbolic piece that uses repetition and symmetry to highlight Abaco iconography. Sam participated in constructing Junkanoo costumes in high school, and intricately designed the woman's costume depicted in the painting.
Abaco Arise 2020 18" x 24"
Longing 2020 / 18" x 24"
“Longing” (seen right) portrays the artist's yearning to what Abaco was, but how she have learned to let go of what it was and gradually accept the island as it is now. The vibrant Abaco parrot represents Abaco before Dorian, taking flight because she cannot reach it anymore. The dull Abaco parrots that sit on her shoulders represent Abaco after Dorian, broken and colourless.
“Twisted”’s coconut trees represent life for many Dorian survivors, twisted. The beauty in the middle was inspired by a close friend of Sam's, a Dorian survivor. On one side there is life pre Dorian and on the other post Dorian. The sky and the ocean remain the same showing the beautiful blues of Abaco that endure. Life has gradually improved, however the community of Abaco is far from reaching what it was before. Life is neither here nor there.
Twisted 2020
16" x 20"
CONCEPT OF HOPE
Power Reach 2021 / 11" x 14"
Pink Comeback 2021 / 16" x 20"
These pieces convey an aura of hope and resilience, because despite the community of Abaco's struggles, they look forward to a brighter future. Having hope has been such an important quality to have in the community - hope helps to motivate individuals to keep going and lightens tough situations, which is what she wants to encourage with her work. What may be perceived as small progressions of growth - such as power being reinstalled in Sam's neighbourhood, or the first blooming hibiscus she spotted after the storm, are actually incredible motivators and signs of hope. These events are reminders that the comeback is greater than the setback.
Sam's recreation from a photograph of a group of men from Cherokee in the 1930's who were casting their nets in hopes of catching goggle-eye fish. She determined and worked on a colour palette that she felt was best suited for the photograph and worked in a looser style in order to construct a feeling of the past. This painting exemplifies the sustainability and hard working community of Abaco in the past that remains today.
Nets at Dawn 2020 / 8" x 10"
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