Fragments of Epic Memory

Fragments of Epic Memory is a major exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada, that explores new ways of understanding Caribbean visual culture from historical photographs to contemporary transnational perspectives. The exhibition includes works by Caribbean artists and writers, serving as a conceptual generational bridge across history, geography, time, and space.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2022
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Fragments of Epic Memory, an upcoming exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada, presents a fresh perspective on Caribbean visual culture,spanning from historical photographs following emancipation to contemporary transnational viewpoints. The exhibition is anchored by an extensive selection from the world-class Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs, housed at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Within this broader context, Fragments of Epic Memory showcases a diverse range of prints, postcards, daguerreotypes, and albums from the period immediately following emancipation in 1838. These artifacts are contextualized within the broader realm of visual culture in the Caribbean.

The critical volume featured in the exhibition includes works by renowned Caribbean artists, such as Wifredo Lam from Cuba, Sir Frank Bowling and Aubrey Williams from Guyana, who represent the pioneering generation of migrant modernist artists. Alongside these historical figures, the exhibition showcases the works of contemporary artists from the Caribbean region and beyond. These artists include Paul Anthony Smith from Jamaica, Zak Ové from Britain, Nadia Huggins from Trinidad, and Sandra Brewster from Canada, among others.

The collaborative efforts of these artists and writers of Caribbean descent create a powerful dialogue that serves as a counterpoint to the historical photographs and the violence of the imperial project. Their works constitute a conceptual generational bridge that spans across history, geography, time, and space, fostering a deeper understanding of Caribbean visual culture and its complex legacy.

The exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of Caribbean visual culture, shedding light on its historical roots. and contemporary dimensions, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the diverse artistic expressions that have shaped the region.

Weight: 1746g
Dimension: 266 x 268 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810126