Page 15 - Awareness Ahata FRONT COVERS

Wednesday 31 august 2022 locAl
A10

Aruban Contemporary Art Episode CLXIX -169

Etnia Nativa through Island Insight shares our native
cultural awareness, educates and safeguarding Aru-
ba’s heritage by elevating each reader into an island
keeper state of mind. Be encouraged to discover in
every episode the true native effect, live it, discover
more reasons to love Aruba and live up your island ad-
venture in an authentic revealing way.

Our island is a tiny tourist destination with a fragile eco-
system, covering thousands of years of history. Here is
when Etnia Nativa’s main objective comes to mind,
sharing information through education.

If you’re a history and culture buff, there’s no shortage
of places on our island to visit. Whether you want to go
searching for the Gold Mines, witness the “Dera Gai”
Festivals, visit Alto Vista, Church at Noord or the Califor-
nia Light House, our ancient rock art sites. Also you can
discover historical architecture in the Oranjestad and
the Past Monuments and get your culture fix when you
uncover Island Insight.

In this episode we explain how Aruba’s picturesque
landscape has made a lasting impression on visiting roots, they made contemporary Aruban ing us certain anecdotes as well as that
artists in particular Johannes Pandellis, a Greek painter art constantly adapt to positive chang- they still have paintings by Johannes on
who influenced many locals.His works remanisens of es. However, Aruba’s indigenous heri- the walls of their homes.
how Aruba was in a time gone bye. Water colurs of tage and heritage legacy maintained
nostalgic, peace full and historic moments. How the its strong aesthetic values. The artistic works of Johannes Pandellis
island was it’s inspiered a vibrant, longstanding artist show the splendor of the Caribbean
community where from all around the world have fol- In the pictorial works of this particular Sea framing the background in addi-
lowed pigmenting mythical views, graffiti, and more Greek artist: Johannes Pandellis we tion to the indescribable and emblem-
onto city walls. can see that strong heritage legacy atic “pastel” tones that characterize his
of our island. Johannes Pandellis (1896- works.Some of his paintings was seen
Talking about “Dutch” Caribbean art in the 20th centu- 1965) who went first to Suriname during hanging on a wall in the hall of the Col-
ry’, it is obvious that we cannot mention all those who the First World War and then left for Cu- ony Service Administration building. The
participated and contributed with their love, passion racao in 1929, was one of the earliest stories told from generation to genera-
and talentfull expressionism, marked by exuberance, artists working and art teacher in the tion tell us that several health profession-
rebelliousness, impulses and emotions related to the region, from who`s many works are still als who at that time worked at the Lago
artist’s temperament. very valued by collectors in auctions. Colony hospital took art classes from
Johannes Pandellis and even that one
The expressionist miscegenation of the Dutch Carib- Through biobliographies and documen- of them Dr. Stritch, an outstanding pro-
bean combines realism and surrealism, alternating tation of the time we learned that Jo- fessional at the Lago Hospital He aban-
and adding abstraction and figuration, according to hannes Pandellis taught art classes on doned his medical practice and be-
the individual options of an artistic expression in con- our island at “Lago Colony”. We also came a full-time painter. Several of his
stant renewal, in the mid-1940s or post WWII, a particu- know that he was married to a woman paintings were sold to residents of the
lar style began to emerge despite the various shared of Indonesian origin and that the cou- colony. For a time there were annual art
ple had a daughter named Lislotte who shows at the Esso Club.q
worked in Fanny’s shop in town.Several
residents of Lago Colony during that
time took art classes with him and many If you love Aruba interested in its origins
are the ones who surprise us so far by tell- and its cultural heritage, we invite you
to be part of an exclusive visit at Etnia
Nativa -a visit off the tourist grid- private
residential house sharing collections of
native art, archaeological artifacts and
historic furniture, while the facility itself is
the result of the transforming and recy-
cling of materials. Meet Anthony Croes,
our columnist at his museum/ home. The
only and authentic native Aruban cul-
tural encounter! Live the experience.
R.S.V.P. Whatsapp + 297 592 2702- or
mail: etnianativa03@gmail.com