A convincing sense of emotional freedom grips one at the first acquaintance with the blazing canvasses of self-styled, visionary Bahamian artist Dr Desiree Cox. Her second solo exhibition currently on display at Cafe Europa in the busy tourist section of Charlotte Street, downtown Nassau, will remain mounted until the end of July. This two month show may seem sufficiently long, but if there is anything more unusual than the idiom in which this collection of work is executed, it is certainly the location of the chosen venue.
About the artist
Instead of the quiet precincts with the usual settings of an art gallery, this artist favours the 'rough and tumble' of a busy down town pub where her art can mingle with patrons and impose themselves as worthy subjects that daringly demand intimate attention or a moment of passing discussion from even casual on-lookers.
Such an unusual approach reflects Dr Cox' personality that has been modeled and fashioned by her very unconventional philosophy in life.
But in spite of her inescapable artistic calling, perplexing questions may stil haunt each reader's thoughts since it's usually difficult for anyone to conceive or even understand the intrigues that often influence changes in one's personal and professional life.
One therefore wonders what is it that has driven this professionally accomplished medical doctor and Rhodes scholar to such a dramatic and questionable extreme. The true answer probably rests in a compelling commitment and search for the ultimate gratification that awaits her curious interest in a restless pursuit of greater, and perhaps, even nobler callings.
The exhibition
Dr Cox' work is deeply philosophic and her style of rendering is unique and personal. Her use of colour is vibrant and visually arresting, as she seems trapped by a strange fascination with the intriguing metamorphosis of colour and texture. Her canvases are alight in a blaze of glory - set in motion in a seemingly endless and spectacular flow of waves - sometimes in a deliberate free style, free form movement.
One also sees a corresponding sense of colour movement in her lavish and hard core use of the warmer hues, juxtaposed with whatever vestige of fragmented visual imagery she chooses to include in her mindscapes. Judging from the titles, it is obvious that her paintings are expressions of deep philosophic statements. She seeks to provide visual interpretation to her personal messages. The artist's approach and use of media is seemingly random but there is a controlled sense of balance that strikes a metamorphic fusion of colour, texture, space and form.
Amid the scattered symbolic imagery in her work, is a constant reference to the female subject, as in her piece, "The Dream Maker" - filled with painted metaphors - mother earth, a tree, the female subject - all are treated as an embodiment of one, amid growth and decay, in a strange style of metamorphic fusion that seems unique and rather personal.
It's an intuitive rendition that breaks free from mental reservations and pre-established pictorial guidelines in both plan and execution of work.
In this realm of emotional freedom which the artist now enjoys, there would be need for some caution since her greatest challenge could yet be how best to determine a rational balance between the peripheral and the more substantial that could ensure professional growth in her budding career as an intuitive painter.
Academic
But in spite of her towering professional achievements and academic accolades, an acknowledge sense of humility and professional courtesy is noted. While the genius of her personality may still reside in relative obscurity, it is hoped that her story can be inspiring to others in a world, often obsessed with material folly. One hopes that with the public's collective support, this national icon could muster whatever needed strength would energize and sustain her quiet pursuit in her service to humanity, beyond distant horizons wherever her searching interest leads.
By Wil A Pluck
Art and Social Critic
Source: The Tribune
