Island Archives

On today's episode of the IAP, we will peer onto the canvas of an individual who certainly made his mark in the pantheon of art history. Frank Bowling was born in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1934, he arrived in London in 1953, graduating from the Royal College of Art with the silver medal for painting in 1962. Bowling went on to divide his time between the art scenes in London and New York, maintaining studios in both cities. This transatlantic orientation was to see his early engagement with expressive figuration and pop art shift to an immersion in abstraction which continues in his practice today. Visible in his work are the legacies of both the English landscape tradition and American abstraction from which Bowling honed a distinctive vocabulary, combining figurative, abstract and symbolic elements. For over six decades, Frank Bowling has relentlessly pursued a practice which boldly expands the possibilities and properties of paint. Ambitious in scale and scope, his dynamic engagement with the materiality of his chosen medium, and its evolution in the broad sweep of art history, has resulted in paintings of unparalleled originality, power and influence all which make him a certain stroke for the IA.

Egbert Austin Williams was born on November 12, 1874 to parents Frederick and Julia in Nassau, the Bahamas. Due to an economic depression, the family decided to leave the Bahamas in 1884 and make a new home in Riverside, California. There young Bert became fascinated with medicine shows while his father was ambivalent about show business at first, but after watching his son delivering a confident spiel he knew Bert had a great talent. He later gained much success as an actor, comedian, playwright and recording artist. Bert Williams is not only a vital part of pop culture, but an inspiring figure in history. He was a man who against all odds had the perseverance to make it to the very top of his field. He patiently endured prejudice to lay the foundation for the many black performers to follow. His influence is extensive and his story is one that had to be included in the IA.

Alfred Horford Reynoso, more commonly known as Al Horford was born on June 3, 1986, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. His father's influence and guidance played a significant role in shaping his passion for basketball and laying the foundation for his future success in the sport, as his dad played in the NBA as well in the 1980’s. Horford has collaborated with Basketball Without Borders, the NBA’s fight against AIDS, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and local charities in the Dominican Republic. Overall, Al Horford's life and upbringing have been defined by his passion for basketball, his commitment to excellence, and his desire to make a positive impact in the world. From his early days in the Dominican Republic to his success in the NBA, Horford's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere and makes him a slam dunk for the Island Archives.

Carlos Acosta was born in Havana, Cuba, on 2 June 1973, the eleventh and last child in an impoverished family. At the age of 16, he won a scholarship with the Turin Ballet, winning the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne. Acosta is that rarest of things -- a ballet dancer who has pirouetted into the public consciousness. He often speaks of the need for ballet to take risks, to evolve and to speak a contemporary language -- ideals that Acosta embodies. Not just a virtuoso performer, it is Acosta's ability to connect with his audience that has made him an international star and a deserved leap into the Island Archives.

Forbes Burnham was born on February 20, 1923, in Kitty, Georgetown, one of three children born to poor but strict parents. Some individuals make for difficult subjects to write on. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham is such a person. He is either well admired or passionately despised. Either way, or altogether, he remains, unquestionably, one of the Caribbean’s most controversial personalities of the twentieth century and his tale is one that had to be told, in the Island Archives.

Jennifer Hosten was born in 1947 in St George’s Grenada, the youngest of five siblings. She is a mother, diplomat, queen, ambassador and a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Her contributions and legacy will be observed and revered for generations to come. Her status as a beacon of hope, strength and liberty make her a perfect addition to the Island Archives.

Alexis Léger (Saint-John Perse) was born on a small family-owned coral island in Guadeloupe on May 31, 1887. Perse's dual life as a poet and diplomat serves as an inspiration. His commitment to both creative expression and diplomatic service underscores the idea that individuals can excel in multiple spheres, fostering a holistic approach to life and contributing to a more interconnected global society. His story had to be recognized in the Island Archives.

CLR James was born in Trinidad on 4 January 1901 to parents who were part of a distinctive generation of blacks – the generation which followed slave emancipation and whose contribution profoundly shaped the future of those small island societies. His vision of humanity was animated by the simple but profound belief in the creative capacities of ordinary men and women and he felt that they were the force for civilization. CLR James was a revolutionary to the core and an absolute no-brainer for the Island Archives

Nanny of the Maroons was the first and foremost leader of the Windward Maroons of Jamaica, a community of self-emancipated formerly enslaved people. She was Queen, the mother of her people, the most brilliant strategist and guerilla general the British were ever going to encounter , not to mention a spiritual guide for her people. Nanny’s story is truly unique and it is one that deserves to be told, in the Island Archives. 

Marcus Of The Woods was a slave who had been born in St. Kitts some time in the PROBABLY in the late 1700’s. He first gained notoriety in 1813 when he ran away from Hutchinson’s Estate and took refuge in the safety of the green haven that surrounded what would come to be known as Mount Misery, and then Mount Liamuiga.The tale of Marcus of the Woods personifies bravery, resistance and the fight for freedom, his story should be held in the highest regard and is a perfect fit for the Island Archives.

François Duvalier was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti  in 1907. Duvalier was the President of Haiti from 1957 to 1971. He was unanimously "re-elected" in a 1961 referendum in which he was the only candidate and remained in power until he died in 1971. In April 1964 he declared himself president for life. Doc was able to stay in power longer than any of his predecessors and his regime caused nearly 30,000 deaths, but at the same time achieved for Haiti an unusual degree of political stabilization. His story is one that had to be told, in the Island Archives.

Today’s episode of the IAP features a Hollywood star whose face you may recognize but story you may not.

Garcelle Beauvais was born in St. Marc, Haiti, on November 26, 1966, as the youngest of eight children. From modelling to The Jamie Foxx Show to NYPD Blue, Garcelle Beauvais has shown herself to be a star. From not speaking English to Hollywood supernova, her story reminds us that it's not where you begin, it's where you’re, which clearly, makes her an easy choice for the Island Archives.

On this episode of the IAP, we will take a free kick at tackling a story that shows us the importance of mentality in life. Keith “Kayamba” Gumbs. 

Keith 'Kayamba' Gumbs is an iconic national sports figure who features among the pioneers of sportsmen and women who blazed the trail before embarking on their professional path from small islands. 

His passion for the game, distinctive character, and resolve all combine to make him a tap-in for the Island Archives.

Grace Beverly Jones was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on May 19, 1948, to Marjorie and Robert W. Jones. Her father was a local politician and Apostolic clergyman. When she was 13 years old, she and her family moved to Syracuse, New York. Her family were devout Christians, particularly of the Pentecostal denomination, and Grace had to participate in prayer meetings and Bible readings every night. Jones is a superlative creator: a talented model, quality singer and dynamic actress. Her style, attitude and persona have made waves in the creative space and make her a great fit in the IA.

Alexander Hamilton was born in January 1755 on the Caribbean Island of Nevis. Hamilton accomplished a lot in his relatively short life. The achievements that are usually publicized most include his role in securing America’s independence and getting the U.S. Constitution signed; his revolutionizing of the country’s financial system; founding the Federalist Party, the first voter-based political party in the United States; and establishing the United States Coast Guard and the New York Post newspaper. Alexander Hamilton’s story is impressive, not just because of what he achieved but also because of the obstacles he had to overcome to get there. His story is one that had to be told in the IA.

Caryl Phillips was born in St. Kitts to Malcolm and Lillian Phillips on 13 March 1958. He came from very humble beginnings, having been born in a rum shop owned by his mother’s family. Phillips’ work has been translated into over a dozen languages, and he has tackled themes on the African slave trade from many angles, and his writing is concerned with issues of "origins, belongings and exclusion", and his interest is in how individuals survive, or succumb to, historical storms and social pathologies. He has written many dramas and documentaries for radio and television, including, in 1996, the three-hour film of his own novel, The Final Passage. Suffice it to say, Caryl Phillips has made tremendous contributions to the literary world, and his depth and decoration have earned him a well-deserved place in the IA.

 Sir Simeon Daniel is an individual who is considered the father of a tiny island that left a lasting legacy. The Right Excellent Sir Simeon Daniel was instrumental in laying the foundation for Nevis's development, making him a laudable addition to the IA.

Dwight Eversley Yorke CM is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian former professional footballer and current manager of Macarthur FC. Throughout his club career, he played for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland, mainly as a forward, between 1988 and 2009. 

Author and Professor Fantz Fanon.