Life Between Islands is an art exhibition at the Tate Britain until the third of April, celebrating Caribbean-British art created by over 40 artists. It encompasses work from artists over the past 70 years who either came over to Britain from the Caribbean, have Caribbean heritage, or have a Caribbean influence. The work is unique and varied in media from painting to pastels, film to fashion, sketching, and clay, despite the same origin.
The sheer abundance of artists especially stood out to me, further enhancing the message behind the work. In particular, artists Michael Mcmillan and Isaac Julien whose work I fell in love with particularly and whom I’d never heard of before.
Michael Mcmillan presented a meticulous installation called ‘The Front room’. He reconstructed a classic 1970s room of those who immigrated to Britain. The funky patterns and warm tones linked to the importance of home within the community, carrying a Caribbean soul and atmosphere in the room, keeping it as a place of refuge and comfort for their family in a different land.
Issac Julien had a room in the gallery displaying a 23 minute film he shot in the 1970s and 1980s called Territories. This confronted themes of race, class, policing, and sexuality taking place in North Kensington at Notting Hill Carnival. It exposed the animosity and restrictions imposed out of spite from a place of racism. It also looks into the immensity of the ‘black Atlantic’ as a geohistoric experience.
There were so many more talented artists, each of their pieces had individual importance and skill. Moreover, it was fascinating to see where each of the artists were from, a large amount were Trinidadian, as well as a lot of Jamaican representation, Guyanese and British born. Particularly looking into the differences of those being British born with Caribbean heritage or those from the islands and the variation within the other islands.
Overall, this was an incredible exhibition I think everyone of all races and heritage should see and experience. I say experience because that is what it was. It was deeply immersive and truly a beautiful mix of culture, the blending of Britain and the Caribbean, as well as delving into the history of Windrush, addressing the racism then that is still prevalent today and how it has shaped our current society. I really have never seen a showcase so beautiful, emotional, socially relevant, and overwhelming in the best way possible.
