Carlos Blaaker
Visual artist Carlos Blaaker is exhibiting in Landhuis Bloemhof with oil paintings and sculptures on daily life in Otrobanda:
“Orisha di Otrabanda”
Opening: May 6th, 2015
Time: 19:30 hrs.
Opening by Poquito Jazz with guest singer Neeltje Timmers, singing a special song about the oeuvre of Carlos Blaaker.
Landhuis Bloemhof is offering opportunity to meet Carlos Blaaker and see him at work on Wednesday and Friday mornings. He will be painting and sculpting on location!
Landhuis Bloemhof is located at Sta. Rosaweg 6 in Curaçao.
t (5 999) 7375775
The artworks in this exhibition are made in bronze and synthetic resin. Some of the sculptures in resin are painted with oil paint, like Man with Watermelon. Others, like Toussaint l’Ouverture are made in resin but are left unpainted, giving them a bronze like appearance. Carlos Blaaker made this sculpture after the controversial presentation by the Dutch lecturer prof.dr. Fennema at the Curaçao Museum in March 2014. Toussaint l’Ouverture (1743-1803) was the leader of the successful 1791 revolution in Haiti. Impressed by the military career and achievements of the historical figure Carlos Blaaker depicts him in action, riding his horse in his military outfit.
The success of the Haitian rebellion led to the 1795 slave revolt in Curaçao, under command of the slave Tula, twice represented in the exhibition. Blaaker made a sculpture of Tula with a small bird, Bananaquit, on his shoulder. Little is known about Tula and how he acquired knowledge of the Haitian revolution and was able to start a revolt. The bird, whispering secrets in his ear, symbolizes his knowledge and intelligence.
The other image of Tula in the exhibition is the only painting in the exhibition. Tula 1, is created in oil paint on canvas. Blaaker considers this his best painting. The figure at the centre is surrounded by bees, and has clearly been stung. The bees symbolize the hardships of Tula, and his fight. Although the painting obviously portrays a life of struggle and defeat, its colors are light and soft. Being able to bring this particular theme, with the use of soft colors without losing impact, is a personal feat for the gifted artist.
Carlos Blaaker (1961) is born in Surinam. Already as a child he has a keen interest in drawing and painting. At the age of 22, after finishing the Nola Hatterman Institute and Academy for fine arts, he travells to New York, eager to explore the world outside the small Surinam society.
In 1990 he relocates to Rotterdam where he actively works as an artist, exhibiting every year till 2009, when he moves to Curaçao. He is inspired by other artists like Richard Diebenkorn, David Park and Wayne Thiebaud. His art always carries a veiled message, pointing to unspoken emotions.
Since arriving in Curaçao he has been president of the local bronze foundation Bronsgieterij Curaçao. He accepted the position on condition that he could work at the bronze foundry as much as he felt like. The fruits of this agreement can be viewed in the present exhibition.
The exhibition remains till June 3rd, 2015.
