The artists of the Salus Project will present an exhibition reflecting their interpretation of domestic violence this Thursday. The “Get Out” exhibition will be held at the Ladder Gallery, New Providence Community Center on Blake Road at 7 pm.
Presented in partnership with Fujon Media Films, all of the pieces in the exhibition will be up for auction, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Bahamas Crisis Centre.
The Salus Project, a student art production, was created by Dr Graham Cates, medical director at the Family Medicine Centre, and his wife, Nurse Anita Cates. The duo brought the concept to life for young artists to express themselves in all five areas of wellness: spiritual, financial, physical, emotional and social.
Dr Cates told Tribune Entertainment: “We are so excited to be involved with this project. The Crisis Centre is doing a great job and with the help of the Salus Project we can increase the awareness of the impact of domestic violence in the Bahamas. The Salus Project through art is committed to engaging Bahamians in conversations that are often difficult to discuss or overlooked.”
Patrice Lockhart-Stubbs of Fujon Media said: “We are seeing a hopeful resurgence of the government’s efforts to put the equal rights of women and men to the people, the time therefore is now to address domestic violence. The expression of art has long since reflected the thoughts and feelings of a people. The upcoming art exhibition and ‘Get Out’ Film release are how we in the arts express ourselves against domestic violence in all its forms. Domestic violence is and has been almost a sub culture in the Bahamas and must be brought to the surface and eradicated,” said Patrice.
In addition to the “Get Out” exhibition Patrice said there will also be a “Get Out” film release that is scheduled for November 2 at the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom, beginning at 7:30 pm. Part proceeds from the event will also go to the Crisis Centre.
“Our goal is to awaken and empower victims to get out of the situation and challenge abusers to reconsider their actions and seek help to change,” said Patrice. Salus Project artist June Colli, said her pieces will portray the celebration of life. “I think people in these type of relationships don’t realise their self worth and once they see how important they are then the healing and loving themselves will begin. Life is too short and beautiful to be unhappy,” said June.
As domestic violence is a very depressing subject, June said she wanted her pieces to show the life a person can live when they “get out” of their situation.
My paintings show persons being selfish, and also not so selfish. It shows them loving and taking care of themselves. I feel this will generate positivity and love,” said June.
She said the “Get Out” project will allow people to openly discuss domestic violence in the Bahamas and create awareness, and hopefully impact abusers in a behaviour changing way.
Another contributing Salus artist Yutavia George said her work represents not only the victims and the abusers, but also those in the wider circle who are affected like friends, family and co-workers.
“Our works describe feelings of emptiness, desperation, self loathing and freedom. Some of the works may make people feel uncomfortable, however, it is the response needed for action. Domestic violence is hidden in our country. No one really wants to talk about it because it’s an ugly truth. Here, we create to investigate so that we can give those who have no hope, solutions; those who cannot speak, a voice; and for those who seem blind, perception,” said Yutavia.
“The people or forms I paint seem very rough on the surface, yet they also have a sort of innocence about them, kind of like the way I see humanity. The works are mirrored images of us and how we feel. My works communicate a repressed message of desperation, hopelessness and guilt. I’m saying “get out” of that situation and feeling by showing the negative to project the positive,” said Yutavia.
One of Yutavia’s pieces, “Daze”, is a mixed media composition on canvas that displays a little boy sitting in a tub.
“You cannot see his face because his back is turned and he is looking towards a tiled wall. Being only a sketch in ink and not knowing the full reality of the situation, he’s in a daze because he is in the middle of a conflict that he has no control over. Although he is taking a bath, he seems to recognise the tension outside, symbolised by the paint’s texture beyond his position on the picture plane. While working on this piece I meditated on how will he get out of this daze and what are the effects this environment will have on him, a child who is a direct link to the future,” said Yutavia.
Other artists in the exhibition include Allan P Wallace, Edrin Symonette, Preston Hanna, Charlthorn Strachan, Jalan Monique, Deime Ubani, Piaget Moss and Richardo Barrett.
Alesha Cadet
The Tribune
Article published: Wednesday October 16, 2013
The Salus Project, an art initiative that aims to highlight various aspects of wellness, is seeking to bring awareness to domestic violence in its latest exhibition.
In partnership with Fujon Media and the Bahamas Crisis Centre, the exhibition and silent auction, entitled “Get Out”, features the works of 10 artists and will raise funds for the crisis center.
“We are so excited to be involved with this project,” said Salus Project founder Dr. Graham Cates. “The crisis center is doing a great job, and with the help of the Salus Project, we can increase the awareness of the impact of domestic violence in The Bahamas. Salus Project, through art, is committed to engaging Bahamians in conversations that are often difficult to discuss or overlooked.”
The work will reflect the artists’ interpretations of domestic violence and convey messages to victims as well as abusers.
“We were told about the film being produced on domestic violence. Everyone had opinions, and so a deep conversation began. We realized it was a great opportunity for action,” said participating artist Yutavia George.
“My works communicate a repressed message of desperation, hopelessness and guilt. I’m saying, ‘Get out of that situation and feeling’ by showing the negative to project the positive.”
Artist June Collie, who will contribute three portrait paintings, said of her work, “My pieces are about celebrating life. I think people in these types of relationships don’t realize their self worth, and once they see how important they are, then the healing and loving themselves will begin. Life is too short and beautiful to be unhappy.”
Other participating artists include Allan P. Wallace, Edrin Symonette, Preston Hanna, Charlthorn Strachan, Jalan Monique, Deime Ubani, Piaget Moss and Richardo Barrett.
The exhibition’s title comes from the Fujon Media film of the same name, which is a docudrama about domestic violence in The Bahamas.
“We are seeing a hopeful resurgence of the government’s efforts to put the equal rights of women and men to the people, the time therefore is now to address domestic violence. Fujon Media is proud and honored to be a part of this project with Salus and The Bahamas Crisis Centre. The expression of art has long since reflected the thoughts and feelings of a people,” said Patrice Lockhart-Stubbs of Fujon Media.
“The upcoming art exhibition and ‘Get Out’ film release are how we in the arts express ourselves against domestic violence in all its forms. Domestic violence is and has been almost a subculture in The Bahamas and must be brought to the surface and eradicated.”
Fujon Media hopes the film will awaken and empower victims to improve their situations, as well as challenge abusers to change their mindset and seek help.
The Red Carpet Premiere of “Get Out” will be held on Saturday, November 2 at the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom, 7:30 p.m. Part proceeds will also go to the crisis center.
Founded by Dr. Cates and his wife, Nurse Anita Cates, the Salus Project is a way for young artists to express themselves in all five areas of wellness: spiritual, financial, physical, emotional and social.
Salus, which is Latin for “wholeness”, was founded in summer 2011, “out of a desire to provide a bridge between art/beauty and health/wellness – two core values of New Providence Community Church”.
“The Salus Project invites student artists to come around a theme and create art so as to increase awareness and positive changes in the artist and the wider community,” said Dr. Cates.
Said Nurse Cates: “Art has a unique way of getting a message across. It allows the viewer to pause, think and formulate ideas which might not occur through traditional media methods. Art brings beauty into our lives and we certainly need more of that.”
The Salus Project has collaborated on projects to highlight five dimensions of wellness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease and the environment.
“These initiatives are all interconnected to our core values of health and wellness,” said Dr. Cates. “We want to provide as many different opportunities for The Bahamas to become aware of and engage in meaningful conversation that will result in positive behavioral changes for a healthy Bahamas.”
• “Get Out” opens at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 17 at the Ladder Gallery, New Providence Community Centre, Blake Road.
Reva Cartwright-Carroll The Nassau Guardian Published: Saturday, October 12, 2013
Yes, all adult women are encouraged to do self breast examinations once a month.
