| Without a doubt, visual art is one of the most | | | | stylization of the images.Artistic DiscoveryFine |
| important aspects of Caribbean culture. And as | | | | Caribbean art can be found on many islands, but |
| more and more artists from the region attract | | | | Cuban arts have been flourishing since the |
| international acclaim and attention, the unique style | | | | beginning of the 20th century, and political strife |
| of Caribbean painters is becoming accessible to | | | | on Haiti and Cuba in particular have provided |
| wider and more diverse audiences.Music and | | | | artists the opportunity to express complex |
| literature typically represent Caribbean art forms, | | | | emotions and political beliefs through their |
| with big names such as musician Bob Marley and | | | | paintings.Cuba's Wilfredo Lam was one of the first |
| poet Derek Walcott leading the pack. But painting | | | | Caribbean artists to gain worldwide recognition. He |
| is growing as a recognized form of expression. | | | | was an associate of both Picasso and Georges |
| Colorful depictions of island life are especially | | | | Braque, which added to his success. The |
| popular in Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica.Art HistoryThe | | | | popularity of Lam |
| Caribbean has always inspired through its unique | | | | quickly turned the art world's attention toward |
| sights and sounds. The bright colors of the | | | | the entire region.Fine works of art can be found |
| region's landscapes and vibrant personalities of its | | | | on islands throughout the Caribbean, including |
| people are particularly strong artistic motivators. | | | | Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Haiti, the Dominican |
| However, Caribbean art history does contain a | | | | Republic, and Cuba. The Internet has also helped |
| few surprises. Two famous artists, Camille | | | | catch the eye of art aficionados by allowing |
| Pissarro and John Audubon, were born in the | | | | people to view artists' works online without having |
| Caribbean. Although their styles are not typical of | | | | to catch a plane or physically travel to a gallery or |
| the area, they have been influential in the | | | | museum that features Caribbean artists.However, |
| development of regional art.Pissarro was born on | | | | fine works of art from many countries |
| St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, then at the | | | | throughout the Caribbean also make popular |
| age of 12 he moved to France. After he | | | | souvenirs for those who do visit. Travelers enjoy |
| completed school, Pissarro returned to St. | | | | bringing them home, and, luckily, fine arts are not |
| Thomas. When he moved to Paris a second time, | | | | included in the customs allowance for travelers |
| Pissarro became very influential among | | | | returning to the United States from the |
| Impressionist painters. Similarly, John Audubon was | | | | Caribbean.For anyone who craves visual art that |
| born in Haiti and moved to France at a young age. | | | | is unique and refreshing, the beautiful works of |
| His study of birds took off during his later move | | | | Caribbean painters are a breath of fresh air. |
| to America.However, Europe may only lay claim | | | | Artists who use the Caribbean's one-of-a-kind |
| to some of the influences behind Caribbean | | | | scenery and lifestyle as the basis for their art |
| artwork. African and Latin American styles are | | | | provide a new and creative way to view |
| also strongly represented. African colors and | | | | paradise.Jennifer Smith writes for |
| people are often the subjects of paintings, with | | | | Bermuda-Guide.info, PuertoRico-Guide.info, and |
| shades of Latin American influence in the | | | | other Segisys travel Web sites. |