Fake Plastic Trees - Installation for the 8th National Exhibition (NE8)
at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, Nassau, 2017
Conceptual scale model of ‘Fake Plastic Trees’
‘A viable community is a group of people with common interests who benefit from living as a group in order to allow social interaction, mutual assistance, a feeling of belonging, and economic reinforcement’
’Many small and long-established communities throughout the world are being threatened by changes which are undercutting their basic reasons for existing as a viable community in the sense defined above. The great paradox of tourist-oriented communities in particular is that their very success in attracting tourists leads to the degradation of the qualities which attracted the tourists in the first place.’ From David H Scott ‘Some Notes on the Future of Hope Town’ 1979
I live in Hope Town, a quaint tropical island paradise and one of the original settlements of the Bahamas. Natural beauty surrounds you with the echo of a simpler way of life. I surf as often as there are waves which centres me, focuses me on the present. Living here inspired me to pursue my creative dream and illustrate this stunning corner of the Bahamas.
In recent years real estate signs have been popping up which planted the seed of this artistic commentary. Beautiful vistas are now spotted with colourful distractions.
Exclusive. Home Rentals. For Sale. Ocean View. Great Rental. Buy-your-piece-of-paradise.
Ever increasing development has transformed this idyllic island into a commodity of indulgent oases, hermetically sealed against sustainable island life. Transplanted lives in a plastic bubble of consumption, while working locals struggle to keep up with the inflated cost of living.
My submission seeks to highlight the difference in lifestyles and awareness by creating a physical barrier that prevents you from clearly seeing what is right in front of you. A concrete visual obstruction as analogy. A space of contemplation that enables a dialogue of responsible and sustainable tourism.
How we can make forward progress while preserving our culture and traditions, as well as the natural world around us?
I hope to create a dialogue of responsible and sustainable tourism and development. Ask the question of how we can make forward progress while preserving our culture and traditions, as well as the natural world around us.
Links to Online Media:
Exhibition Page
Open Studio Artist Talk
Pasting Colours article by Dr Ian Bethell-Bennett
The Long Eye of Culture article by Dr Ian Bethell-Bennett











