In the Studio with Anna Gibson

📍Barbados

Anna Gibson is a contemporary artist from Barbados who explores multiple media, crafting images of body manipulation through realism and expressionism. Since 2017, she has participated in a number of group exhibitions at The Punch Creative Arena, UN women ‘1in3 Art Exhibition’ at the UN House Barbados, ‘Young Artists’ at The Barbados Arts Council Art Gallery, Reimagined: Unspoken Bodies and Spaces at The Frame & Art Co. (Barbados) and more. 

In 2022, she was one of the awardees of the CATAPULT Arts Grant for Caribbean creatives, and was invited by the Fresh Milk/ Healing Arts Initiative to participate in the Barbados Trailway beautification project.

“Longer, straighter, fuller, sexier, younger, hotter, fairer, better” the list of adjectives goes on of these “most desirable” attributes for women – and especially for women of colour and BIPOC communities across the globe. “What’s next?” “Do you see me now?” are just a couple of the recurring questions in Anna Gibson’s work, whose paintings confront and call out the demands of male fantasies projected onto women and girls.   

We sat down to chat with Anna this month, to hear what has been keeping her busy as well as learn more about the BIPOC feminist manifesto which can be read throughout her work. Anna Gibson’s highly detailed portraits often represent black Caribbean women and the female-feminine body: as a site of dissatisfaction, pain, trauma, under (re)construction as they recover from the attacks of heteronormative Westernized beauty standards.  Simultaneously however, Anna Gibson seeks to highlight the agency, strength and desires of these women rendered through their unaltered generous forms, unafraid stares and confident sensuality.

Rebirth Masque II (2020) By Anna Gibson 

AdG:   Anna, since I came across your work in 2019, I’ve always enjoyed your hyper realistic portraits and representations of Black, Bipoc Caribbean women, who are often holding the viewer in conversation with a certain bravery and fearlessness in their eyes. What are you addressing in your work at the moment? 

AG: I’m looking at channeling various archetypes and using imagery that represents nostalgia both from my own experiences and others.

Recently, as I was sorting through some old stuff at home that accumulated over the years, like hair clips, old clothing and old toys, I was hit with the emotions and memories that some of those objects brought back.  These kinds of objects are physical representations connected to our identities and desires growing up, and I’m exploring how these things are regurgitated throughout our constant relationships with ‘the Self’ and others. 

I feel like more than ever I have been looking for an escape and I’m manifesting that within my paintings, while also giving these female figures a reprieve.

 “ I’m questioning the re-evaluation of self after changing the body, is there a gain in confidence, or an unsatisfied need for more change?”

AdG:  Have you seen a shift in your work over the past year to 2 years?

AG: My theme remains the same: rooted in reformation/ reconstruction of the body with a focus on the female form, but has evolved to exploring interior aspects of the mental state and manifesting that onto the canvas. I’m questioning the re-evaluation of self after changing the body, is there a gain in confidence, or an unsatisfied need for more change? I’m utilizing these thoughts to create a surreal environment that embodies the characters’ state of mind and innermost desires.

Image/  Anna Gibson in her studio, Barbados 2022. Image courtesy the artist

AdG: Are there any projects which you are particularly proud of right now? 

AG: I was fortunate to have received an artist grant from CATAPULT this year, as well as a prize for the Fresh Milk/Healing Arts Initiative project, to help with beautifying the Barbados Trailway, a project to enhance mental and physical wellness.

“…Objects are physical representations connected to our identities and desires. I’m exploring how these things are regurgitated throughout our constant relationships  with ‘the Self’ and others.”

AdG: What is the biggest lesson learnt in recent times, especially with the pandemic behind us? 

AG: Honestly, it hasn’t been the best year for me. There have been some ups and downs in my personal life, with some blessings here and there that I’m grateful for. The biggest thing I’ve learnt is that sometimes it’s better to stop panicking and take things a day at a time.

AdG: What would you like to do more of in the new year? 

AG: I would just really like to focus on creating. Sometimes circumstances out of my control can be a challenge and distracting. So, channeling all my energy towards painting and enjoying my process of creating is my main goal right now.

Interview with Adeline Gregoire