National Art Gallery (NAGB)
NAGB: Both sides of the coin
By NAGB
Feb 6, 2016 - 2:06:47 PM

“Inner Journey” from the Bennet Atkinson Collection, was completed after Malone went through therapy for his depression and admitted to being an alcoholic, joining AA meetings at NPCC.

There are currently more than 200 works by Brent Malone on display at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), and they all tell the story of a man who was not only a prolific artist, but one whose life was peppered with twists and turns.

The exhibition’s name, Reincarnation, alludes to rebirth and renewal, and is telling of Malone’s experiences recovering from alcohol and drug misuse as well as episodes of depression. As they move through the NAGB, visitors notice shifts in Malone’s style and subject matter. This becomes particularly apparent in the “Reincarnation” section of the show, where a series of mermaids accompanies flamingoes, shells and Junkanoo costumes, along with an autographed copy of Exuma, “The Obeah Man’s”, “Reincarnation” album.

Exhibition curator Dr. Erica M. James wrote, “When the album was released, Malone was in the midst of a difficult period shaped by multiple emotional, spiritual and artistic battles. The Obeah Man’s album reawakened something inside. It joined the materiality of the body with the abstract immaterialities of spirit and sound… Malone responded by joining abstract principles with gestures toward the high realism he would become known for.”

It becomes clear that, for Malone, like many others, art became a way of overcoming and working through personal turmoil. And in the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Month, it seems fitting to have an open and honest discussion with others who can attest to their experiences linking creativity with mental wellness. That’s why the NAGB has invited artist Tyrone Ferguson and psychiatrist Dr. Brian Humblestone to lead a discussion on just that. […]

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