Evolution of the Arc

“Evolution of the Arc” is an Open Call Exhibition, in a spirit of partnership between The Salus Project and the NAGB. With the shared goal of welcoming the wider artistic community into the museum for conversation and exchange, the works selected seek to inspire, critique, uplift and offer space for contemplation and representation. This Arc, which offers reference to our archipelago, is our chance to consider the past and present, and build out ideas for a new future with healing in mind.

The idea of “evolution” here refers to the accumulation of changes that take place consistently over time, noticed and unnoticed, perceptible and imperceptible alike. These changes can affect social, economic, political, ecological and personal development.

The exhibition, originally conceived by Deime Ubani of The Salus Project, was in its nascent stages intended to address the precarious state of our archipelago’s infrastructure in the months after Hurricane Dorian. Voices began to speak up about the numerous concerns brought to the fore after its passage with issues closely tied to our geographic location, geology and infrastructure, all of which were heavily impacted. The serious ecological and economic shocks raised concerns over the sustainability of tourism—our number one industry—and also underscored the lack of growth in other industry sectors. As we look to the current moment, both Dorian and the pandemic have highlighted our heavy dependence on the US for the importation of goods in addition to the fact that we export minimally, further stunting economic growth and limiting our potential for independence.

COVID-19 has exacerbated our pre-and-post Dorian problems and has highlighted the necessity of finding true solutions for us to move forward as a nation. With decreased travel, health restrictions and hotels functioning at minimum capacity, many are searching for new opportunities in our precarious hospitality-based economy to sustain both their families and the country. COVID-19 has added a new set of challenges to those we are already forced to contend with in a postcolonial society.

We exist in a diaspora composed of diverse ethnicities, niche traditions and dogmas – we are a space of plurality. The evolution of our archipelago exists within this specific set of complexities that now demand careful analysis of how we got here, where we are currently and where we are headed.