Please introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about where in the region you are based, and share some of the major ideas and themes you engage with in your practice.
My name is Kraig Yearwood, a multidisciplinary artist from Barbados, a small island Caribbean state which is located in the east Antilles.
My artistic practice is driven by interests, where experimentation and exploration of materials and processes are integral. The work is often multilayered, investigating two or more themes simultaneously. Recent themes focus on ideas relating to postcolonial identity, self exploration, as well as social, environmental and global concerns.
Can you share with us some insight into your journey through the challenging world of ceramics — using different techniques and tools — and how getting your hands muddy with this medium has nurtured your technical and conceptual process in new creative experiments?
I’ve been making small sculptural terracotta pieces for my accessories label for a number of years now, however, I’ve recently started my journey into the production of larger sculptures.
Having no formal training in ceramics, it’s been a joy exploring this medium. The first piece I made partially blew out in the kiln, but I’m still highly satisfied with it. I’m very intrigued by the technical and intuitive nature of clay, the chemistry and magic of glazes, as well as embracing serendipitous kiln effects
So far, I’ve been keen on hand-building techniques and I’m excited by the possibilities of exploring past and current themes in non 2D space.
In addition to initiatives like TENDER, what other kinds of support or programming geared towards the needs of contemporary creative practitioners would you like to see implemented in the Caribbean?
Support from TENDER has been instrumental in securing materials and equipment necessary for this next phase. However, I believe Caribbean creative practitioners could benefit from additional initiatives that provide shared or low-rent studio facilities equipped with specialized tools, large-workspaces and storage, alongside enhanced opportunities for cross-regional collaboration, residencies and representation to strengthen the region’s creative infrastructure.
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