Alanis Forde

Lives and works in Bridgetown, Barbados

Artist statement

Alanis' work explores paradise as both a religious concept of an idealized space and landscape of my homeland; through the lens of a non-traditional conservative black Caribbean female. These introspective paintings create a continuous dialogue between the figures and the paradise it’s submerged within. The use of unrefined brushstrokes, dotted textures, patterns, and vibrant colours, allows the viewer’s eye to be in constant motion and transports them into a dystopian landscape. The reoccurring figure in my work is a proxy named “Bubbles” who is characterized by her electric blue hair and red lips. Bubbles navigate these landscapes documenting, archiving, and capturing the essence of what it means to be both trapped and free of these spaces.

Artwork