Exhibition

Reflexion was a transformative retrospective celebrating the 30-year career of abstract artist Oliver Benoit. Hosted at the St Paul’s Community Centre, Grenada, from 15 February to 30 April 2024, the exhibition marked a pivotal moment in the local art scene. This was the first major presentation of Benoit’s work in a public gallery in Grenada, offering an immersive, site-specific experience that highlighted the depth and evolution of his artistic journey.

Oliver Benoit: A Unique Artistic Voice
Oliver Benoit’s work is characterised by its intricate layering of colour, form, and emotion, pushing the boundaries of abstraction. Throughout his career, Benoit has carved a distinctive space within the Caribbean art world, engaging deeply with themes of identity, memory, and cultural expression. His early work explored the intersection of landscape and abstraction, while his later pieces, including the Whipping the Mind series, expand the discourse of text-based abstraction. Through his art, Benoit continually seeks to decode visual language, giving form to the complex narratives of Caribbean life.

Thematic Vision & Curatorial Approach
Curated by Susan Mains and Anne Labovitz, Reflexion was divided into five thematic threads that mapped the artist’s evolution over three decades. The exhibition was designed to provoke deeper contemplation on the role of abstraction in art-making and how it serves as a vehicle for personal and collective memory. Each section of the exhibition represented a distinct phase of Benoit’s career, with a particular focus on his ability to reimagine form and emotion in response to shifting cultural contexts.

Among the highlights were works from Benoit’s early career, juxtaposed with his recent Whipping the Mind series, which had been featured at the 56th Venice Biennale. This contrast between early and late works underscored the artist’s continued commitment to abstract expression, while also inviting visitors to trace the philosophical, aesthetic, and emotional shifts in his work.

Engagement and Regional Perspectives
The exhibition’s programme was a vital part of the experience, bringing together a wide array of regional voices to discuss, interrogate, and celebrate Benoit’s work. Over the course of the exhibition, twice-weekly panel discussions and artist talks created a platform for dynamic intellectual exchange. These sessions were designed to stimulate critical thinking, broaden perspectives on abstract art, and reflect on the cultural context of art-making in the Caribbean.

The programme featured distinguished regional voices, whose insights brought intellectual depth to the exhibition:

• Dr Merle Collins: “The Importance of the Arts in Caribbean Society”
• Ms Suelin Low Chew Tung: “Art and the Grenada Revolution: The Impact of Billboards”
• Mr Michael Julien: “The History and Use of Colour in Grenadian Aesthetics”
• Atiba Benoit & Tiffany Strachan: “Music and Art” – exploring interdisciplinary collaboration
• Mr José Manuel Noceda: “Caribbean Art at the Havana Biennial: How Can Grenada Qualify?”
• Mr Cecil Noel: “The Art in Commancheros Mas’ Band Over the Past 50 Years”
• Dr Adrian Augier (Saint Lucia): “The Role of the Media in Reporting on the Visual Arts in the OECS: Is the Depth of Analysis Adequate?”
• Dr Yvonne Weeks: *“The Role of Art in Education Over the Past 50 Years”

These voices—scholars, artists, and critics from across the Caribbean—enriched the exhibition with diverse perspectives that highlighted the intersection of art, culture, and history in the region. Their contributions helped position Reflexion as not just a showcase of Benoit’s work but as a vital cultural event, fostering a deeper dialogue on the role of abstract art in shaping Caribbean identity.

The Visitor Experience & The Gallery Transformation

One of the most striking aspects of Reflexion was its immersive design. The St Paul’s Community Centre was transformed into a temporary, site-specific space called *The Gallery*, which created a unique atmosphere for the exhibition. The gallery space was carefully curated to echo the themes of Benoit’s work—intimate yet expansive, structured yet fluid. Visitors were invited to experience the exhibition not just as passive observers, but as active participants in an evolving conversation between art, culture, and identity.

The layout of the exhibition encouraged a fluid journey through Benoit’s artistic evolution, allowing visitors to move from early works that explored themes of Caribbean landscape to more recent pieces that interrogated the mind and social history through text-based abstraction.

Educational Outreach and Creative Process
As part of its outreach, Reflexion welcomed local secondary schools, aspiring artists, and students into The Gallery for special educational sessions. These interactive workshops offered a rare opportunity to engage with Benoit directly and explore the complexities of abstract art-making. Participants were guided through the nuances of creating abstract art, from conceptualisation and material selection to the actual painting process. The sessions also touched on important issues of art preservation and the role of the artist in society.

The opportunity for young, emerging artists to learn from one of the region’s foremost abstract artists provided invaluable insights into the discipline. Discussions also covered the technical aspects of display, the conceptualisation of art from an abstract standpoint, and the philosophical underpinnings of creative work.

A Lasting Impact and Legacy
While Reflexion has now concluded, its impact will resonate in Grenada’s art scene and beyond. The exhibition has spurred conversations about the future of Caribbean abstract art and has reinforced the importance of preserving and fostering artistic expression within the local context.

The Reflexion exhibition was not merely a retrospective of Oliver Benoit’s work; it was a celebration of the ongoing evolution of abstract art in the Caribbean. It encouraged viewers to reconsider the role of abstraction in representing cultural histories, personal narratives, and social movements. Through Reflexion, Benoit not only presented his artistic evolution but also provided a space for reflection on the place of art in society, culture, and history.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all those who attended, participated, and contributed to making Reflexion an unforgettable and intellectually enriching experience. The exhibition was a milestone in the cultural history of Grenada and a testament to the transformative power of art. We look forward to continuing the dialogue initiated by Reflexion and to future projects that will continue to honour the legacy of Oliver Benoit’s artistic vision.

Exhibition Dates: 15 February – 30 April 2024
Venue: The Gallery, St Paul’s Community Centre, Grenada