Why Should Art Collectors Watch The Bahamas?

By Kendea Smith

A look into the nation’s booming creative movement, standout artists, and why global collectors are turning their attention to Bahamian art.

Beneath the turquoise waves and sun-kissed skies, a quiet revolution is taking shape. The Bahamas, long known for its beauty and hospitality is now capturing the attention of global art collectors for something far deeper; its vibrant, evolving visual art scene. From textile to conceptual brilliance, Bahamian artists are reshaping Caribbean aesthetics with bold narratives, masterful techniques and cultural authenticity. Collectors seeking fresh voices and visionary perspectives are discovering that The Bahamas isn’t just a paradise to visit it is a place to invest in the future of contemporary art.

No one believes this notion more than Curator at the Central Bank of The Bahamas Ulrich Voges, who has spent decades selecting just the right pieces for many exhibitions.

“The collection really ends where the wall space ends. Here in The Bahamas, we have such a strong visual artist community. Here you can create something, and you don’t feel that you are here by yourself. The ecosystem here has improved radically. We have commercial galleries, studio spaces and about 15 years ago we had a lot of pop ups. And now, when you walk through the Convention Center at Baha Mar, the collection there is outstanding,” he said. “I think we are on a very interesting path, and I am so excited about the future.” Over the years, the Central Bank of The Bahamas has played a pivotal role in introducing emerging artists in The Bahamas through hundreds of exhibitions.

Voges explained the process of selecting the artists that grace the walls of the historic bank.

“We follow artists from earlier on. If they submit something through the high school competition, then they move on to study at the University of The Bahamas, we like to follow them and if they are developing interesting work then we acquire it; four or five years later. We don’t only collect one piece. We love to show the progression,” he said.

Voges added that most of the work acquired really comes from instinct.

“The works found in The Bahamas are good. Quality will always succeed and right now, we are the most interesting, vibrant cultural scene in the Caribbean. We have many, many levels and the reason why we have such extraordinary visual artists comes from Photo Credits by Fly Wright Junkanoo; because from early on, you are exposed to these crazy ideas by showing elaborate floats,” he said. “The quality is why people are coming and enjoying our art.” Well-known Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts said owning a piece of Bahamian art is like owning a rare jewel.

“We are only 400,000 people compared to millions of people in countries in the world. When we see the creativity and we think about the impact that we are having and what we have exported around the world, the world needs to take note of that,” he said. “What is happening in this little country is that we can compete on the world’s stage in sports, dance, music and art – that is why people should pay attention to us.” Candice Knowles, a former model, is an avid supporter of Bahamian art.

“It is an expression of who we are, and an expression of our country and we need to expose that with our amazing visual artists that are discovering their medium. I think this will put 242 on the world’s art stage. Separate from sports and entertainment, we can be known to be an art mecca not just in the region, but the world as well. At the end of the day, we are talented people and the talent is innate. It’s our destiny,” she said.

She added why she supports artists in a tangible way.

“At the end of the day, the artist is human. I look to support their hard work and commitment, and I think it is just an embodiment of who we are, and I want to know the background of the artist. I think we all have a responsibility to appreciate the artists and then make your contribution. When I saw a piece before I literally couldn’t move and I thought to myself, ‘I want to feel this feeling all the time.’” Carla Hall, a Food Network celebrity, is also an avid collector of Bahamian art.

“I think art is a reminder of human connection. A lot of the times, I know the story of the artist and I never want to lose that. I think to myself, this could make me evoke some emotion because if I lose that, I would say, ‘What else have I lost?’ I have always had this feeling that, I must have this piece.’ I try to encourage people to get something original because that’s the best way to connect,” she said.

“Seeing these artists being lifted up makes me want to take those stories home. Last year, I bought two pieces from the Bahamas Art and Culinary Festival, and I plan to buy another one. Because I have worked here and I know some of the foliage and some of the people, the rhythm of The Bahamas, I see in those pieces. So, I am not likely to get something that is abstract, but I love collage pieces. I’ve seen a piece of little girls hopscotching. And the skin color, the mixed prints and even the color of their hair, that to me says Bahamas.”