Daniel Jean-Baptiste, Hawksbill and Jacks
SL: You have an amazing ability to capture light and the intensity of colour
in your work.
DJ: My goal is always to create original work. For me light is the dimension
of the painting that brings life to it. As humans light excites us and whether
consciously or unconsciously captures our attention. I like to contrast it
with deep shadows, intense colour and a little bit of unplanned caos.
SL: Well Said. You have shared your work with some of histories most
iconic figures. What is the most memorable moment for you?
DJ: In 1998 the government of Saint Lucia wanted me to present one of my
original silk paintings as a gift to visiting President Nelson Mandela. We
met on a yacht in the Castries Harbor just before his trip down the west
coast to the Pitons. Meeting this great freedom fighter had always been a
dream of mine, and I was surprised when he mentioned to me that he too
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was a painter. The crowds surrounding him grew larger and our conversation was rather brief with all the photo and autograph seekers, but I really
enjoyed that brief moment with him.
SL: The painting above “Hawksbill and Jacks” has a deeper meaning
than meets the eye, tell us a little about it?
The lone fish is a depiction of myself, content to find my own way in life.
The rest of the schooling jacks behind the hawksbill are sticking very close
to the turtle as they follow aimlessly and being led on a mindless journey
not of their choice. This painting is meant to show that security and protection from the unknown keeps us blind to finding our true self and to
witnessing life as it really is.
SL: Very nice study on human behaviour.
To see more images of Daniel Jean-Baptiste work visit www.seashelltraveller.com and for purchases contact: artofsilk@yahoo.com and visit: www.
jean-baptiste.com.