Introducing Artist Tavernelle Wells
Who are you in two sentences or less? I am an expressive Caribbean artist with an aesthetic that is best described as ‘Pretty Serious.’
Tell me more about your "Pretty Serious" aesthetic. Pretty Serious means that I use the basic principles to create beautiful and appealing paintings whilst at the same time addressing issues and topics of a more profound and thought-provoking nature.
Where are you from? Do you think your background has influenced your work? I am from Santa Cruz in Trinidad and Tobago where my studio is still located. My influences and inspirations are not simply derived from my past but the sum of present and past experiences.
Do you seek to convey a particular message with your work? If so, what is it? I reflect on various subject matters that I feel passionate about. My message usually projects a new viewpoint on a current topic or discussion. For example, Vertical Living is an idea suggested by Chris Anderson - TED founder, who believed future sustainability requires urbanisation.
Tell us more about your current collection: Vertical Living? What was the inspiration behind it? Vertical Living is a foreign concept of home that locals in Trinidad and Tobago aspire to emulate. This idea of the "pop-up city" is transplanted without fully understanding its implications in the Caribbean. Whilst some luxurious living spaces can be admired for their contemporary function and fashion, other small low-income living spaces become cheap accommodation of the urban poor.
Tell me more about your "Pretty Serious" aesthetic. Pretty Serious means that I use the basic principles to create beautiful and appealing paintings whilst at the same time addressing issues and topics of a more profound and thought-provoking nature.
Where are you from? Do you think your background has influenced your work? I am from Santa Cruz in Trinidad and Tobago where my studio is still located. My influences and inspirations are not simply derived from my past but the sum of present and past experiences.
Do you seek to convey a particular message with your work? If so, what is it? I reflect on various subject matters that I feel passionate about. My message usually projects a new viewpoint on a current topic or discussion. For example, Vertical Living is an idea suggested by Chris Anderson - TED founder, who believed future sustainability requires urbanisation.
Tell us more about your current collection: Vertical Living? What was the inspiration behind it? Vertical Living is a foreign concept of home that locals in Trinidad and Tobago aspire to emulate. This idea of the "pop-up city" is transplanted without fully understanding its implications in the Caribbean. Whilst some luxurious living spaces can be admired for their contemporary function and fashion, other small low-income living spaces become cheap accommodation of the urban poor.
On Stilts by Tavernelle Wells
It reinforces the widening socio-economic gap, as limited housing is made available for the dwindling middle class. On one hand, public housing is subsidized for low-income families whilst the private developers provide living spaces beyond the reach of middle-income professionals. The consequences of which are increased demand for low-income housing, squatting, vacant high-priced properties and reduced numbers of middle-income homeowners.
Vertical Living also provides a uniformed, cookie-cutter solution to sustainable living. Its intended homeowners have limited influence on their living spaces. In the past, living spaces reflected diverse identities of the homeowner. Identities vary from consumption tastes, preferences, idiosyncrasies, gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, ancestry and belief to name a few. Today, there is a homogeneous aesthetic to define the homeowner’s socio-economic lifestyle and status.
Suburbia by Tavernelle Wells
These imported designs convey a dominance of foreign culture and limited dialogue between the people and the public and private developers. These tiered living spaces are not distinctively Caribbean in character. Such living spaces can be found anywhere in the world. The only alternative is rural and unplanned housing, which reflects Caribbean character and resistance to the global hegemonic urban planning.
Who are your main artistic influences? I have admired the works of Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Their influences are reflected in my unique criss-crossed style of vibrant colours and high contrasts.
What have been the main challenges you’ve faced in terms of building a business through your art? I am not primarily focused on a building a business through my art. I am more concerned with my development as an artist.
These imported designs convey a dominance of foreign culture and limited dialogue between the people and the public and private developers. These tiered living spaces are not distinctively Caribbean in character. Such living spaces can be found anywhere in the world. The only alternative is rural and unplanned housing, which reflects Caribbean character and resistance to the global hegemonic urban planning.
Who are your main artistic influences? I have admired the works of Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Their influences are reflected in my unique criss-crossed style of vibrant colours and high contrasts.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to make art their career? Be tenacious always
Where else can we see your work? http://tavernelle.wix.com/tavernelle
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