Daughter of the Soil
Cadet Capela
54 rue Chapon, 75003 Paris
March 9 — April 20, 2024
Cadet Capela is pleased to present “Daughter of the Soil,” a solo exhibition by Bahamian artist Cydne Jasmin Coleby. In her fifth exhibition with the gallery, Coleby unveils new works on paper that revisit and expand upon previous creations exploring themes of autonomy and anatomy.
For her series of self-portraits, Coleby meticulously constructed silhouettes using fragments of fruits, plants… Her intention is to address desirability, consumption, and the use of bodies similar to hers, particularly highlighting those belonging to black, female, and Caribbean identity:
“I primarily use collage to layer various materials and images, merging the familiar paradisiacal views of the region with moments of pain, trauma processing, and grotesque. The resulting images complicate the widely celebrated natural landscape of the Bahamas, emphasizing that idyllic environments can still represent deep wounds.”
This new exhibition examines the body more autonomously, focusing on the connection between the individual’s body and their homeland. The artist aims to evoke the body as an independent subject, surpassing its sexualization, to better express its connection to its land and culture.
Recent readings on surrealist movements in the Caribbean after World War II have profoundly influenced the artist. In resonance with the works of Wifredo Lam and Suzanne Césaire, Coleby asserts that the Antillean connection to their land offers a path to liberation from colonial power structures. Thus, through her new works, the artist highlights her deep attachment to her country, where the sense of belonging is synonymous with independence:
“Historically, I’ve used ecological references in my collages to speak of the power of regional and environmental influences on identity, and that’s no different here. Considering myself as a ‘daughter of the soil,’ I’ve created a series of portraits and silhouettes, in close-up and full-body, as well as experimental collages of anthropomorphic beings that aim to reimagine the body.”
Omnipresent in Coleby’s works, the Breeze Block is a popular architectural element in the Caribbean between the 1930s and 1950s due to its insulating properties and resistance to hurricanes. The use of this motif symbolizes the creation of structures tailored to the specific needs of the region, in opposition to the rigid colonial impositions still present in the Bahamas.
Bare Faced, 2024
Acrylic, decorative paper, photo collage, sand and glitter on paper
24 x 18 inches (60.96 x 45.72 cm)
Growing into My Features, 2024
Acrylic, decorative paper, photo collage, sand and glitter on paper
24 x 18 inches (60.96 x 45.72 cm)
Freedom Looks Good on You, 2024
Acrylic, decorative paper, photo collage, sand and glitter on paper
24 x 18 inches (60.96 x 45.72 cm)
My Face Can’t Hide, 2024
Acrylic, decorative paper, photo collage, sand and glitter on paper
24 x 18 inches (60.96 x 45.72 cm)
Wilful Ignorance, 2024
Decorative paper, photo collage and sand on paper
18 x 18 in (45.72 x 45.72 cm)
False Sense of Safety, 2024
Decorative paper, photo collage and sand on paper
18 x 18 in (45.72 x 45.72 cm)
Even When Eyes Refuse To See The Body Will Know, 2024
Decorative paper, photo collage and sand on paper
18 x 18 in (45.72 x 45.72 cm)
Discipline is a form of Self Care, 2024
Collage on paper
10 x 6.5 in (25.4 x 16.5 cm)
Well Done, My Child, 2024
Collage on paper
10 x 6.6 in (25.4 x 16.5 cm)
You Have All of The Tools, 2024
Collage on paper
14 x 8.5 in (35.5 x 22 cm)
You Are Everything and More, 2024
Collage on paper
8.6 x 9 in (21.8 x 22.8 cm)
You Are Supported, 2024
Collage on paper
9 x 6 in (35.5 x 22 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
Dawta I - IX, 2024. Archival print on Rag Paper (1/1). 24 x 12 in (60.96 x 30.48 cm)
