NAGB Team Member Reagan Farrington Wins Central Bank of The Bahamas Award

When you think of art, what are the first images that come to mind? A painterly beach scene, a still life so realistic you feel like you could reach out and touch it? Or something more conceptual perhaps—art that challenges our perceptions and sparks thought? NAGB team member Reagan Farrington’s Somebody’s Baby falls into the latter category, winning her the Sculpture Award in the 41st Annual Central Bank Art and Culture Competition. 

Regan’s sculptural installation features a clear framed shadow box with crumpled children’s clothing partially obscuring a list of names. On closer look, viewers realise these names belong to children who lost their lives to violence. Tragically, the list shifts from real names to the phrase “Somebody’s Baby”, reflecting the ongoing crisis of violence. The installation invites engagement: by pulling its strings you shift the clothing, revealing and concealing the names. Reagan explains, “The strings represent the forces manipulating their lives and the tension between visibility and obscurity. By interacting with the strings, viewers uncover these names, symbolising the challenging but essential process of bringing buried truths to light.”  

What makes something art anyway? We often think of art as something that exists to be admired for its beauty, and while that may be true, it has also long been used to address social issues, whether consciously or subconsciously. Just two weeks ago in this column, we discussed Tanicia Pratt’s Blow the Whistle project at the NAGB, another project that, like Somebody’s Baby, confronts systemic violence. Both artists use traditional forms of Bahamian music and the voice of protestors, intensifying the work’s emotional impact. “Somebody’s Baby is both a memorial and a call to action, urging reflection on the breakdown of the family and the systemic inaction that perpetuates the vulnerability of Bahamian children,” Reagan shares. These projects remind us that art is responsive to its environment—social, political, and otherwise. 

Each year, the Central Bank of The Bahamas invites Bahamian and residents to submit their work to this highly anticipated competition. While some years have a theme, the 2024 competition was open-ended, allowing for a wide range of creative expression—from poetry to animation. Winners are selected not only for their technical skill, but for their ability to push boundaries and spark dialogue through a compelling concept. As part of this longstanding competition, the Central Bank acquires a selection of the strongest works, building its collection while supporting artists’ practices. 

The entire NAGB team celebrates Reagan’s achievement. The museum has long championed artists like Reagan who use their practice to confront urgent social issues and encourage meaningful dialogue. Through exhibitions, programming, and community development, the NAGB is an important space where Bahamian artists—and you—can reflect and even feel empowered. Somebody’s Baby is a reminder of art’s power to help us have difficult conversations, and we congratulate Reagan for bringing this necessary conversation to the forefront.