Laurie Tuchel, Co-Chair of the Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation is stands next to the life size Sacred Women sculptures with the artist, sculptor, Antonius Roberts in the lobby of The Westin Hotel, where the carvings will remain until the Heritage Museum is completed. Photo: Chantal Bethel

The Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation in conjunction with the Westin Hotel at Our Lucaya is pleased to invite the public to view the Sacred Women, a sculptural representation of our first settlers of Freetown, by renowned Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts.

This collection of 12 statuesque women, carved from indigenous Bahamian trees, will be on display in the lobby of the Manor House until they are moved into their new home at The Heritage Museum and Gallery, the location to be announced later this year.
 

Representative of The Heritage’s vision, "to use art as a window into our past", the use of indigenous trees and the representation of the freed slaves from Freetown, connect our present with our past. Through this medium of sculpture, Mr. Roberts has created the opportunity to discuss the difficult topic of slavery and its connection to Grand Bahama. “Through sculptures, paintings, mixed and new medias and performances, it (art) offers a society much needed reliquary objects, mediums and rituals that allow a people the possibility of conscious recognition and regeneration,” noted Erica James, Director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas during the Heritage’s sponsored show, “Freedom Call”.

Mr. Roberts says of Sacred Women, “My sculptures are inspired by an ancestral urge to conserve that which we destroy or discard in the name of progress. It is my intent through this process, to present conceptual proposals, which suggest issues of identity and respect for nature”.

The new Heritage Museum and Gallery will bring artists and historians together to create exhibitions reflecting the historical and cultural aspects of Grand Bahama. Artists in Residence programs, workshops and film will contribute to the exhibits.

For further information, please contact Laurie Tuchel at LNTuchel@gmail.com or Chantal Bethel at Chantalbethel@yahoo.com