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LOCAL Saturday 16 January 2021

Art at Cas di Cultura

ORANJESTAD — Cas di Cul- in place here. Admission is
tura (Dutch: Cultuurhuis) is free.
the home of the national
theater, concert stage, ex- About the artist
hibition and cultural center "My aim is to passionate-
of Aruba, located at the ly and intuitively reflect
'Las Americas' roundabout authentic identity and
in Oranjestad. Tonight will strength through colorful,
be the opening of the exhi- fluid and expressive ab-
bition “Soca Art-Raise your stract paintings,” Gumbs
voice!” by Aruban artist says on saatchiart.com.
Sharina Gumbs. She was born in Aruba and
immigrated to the Nether-
Gumbs will be present dur- lands at the age of seven
ing the opening of the ex- with her mother, brothers
position to show her art. and sister.
The evening starts at 7pm Growing up with an absent
and closes at 9pm, the father and a strong inde-
exhibition will stay to visit pendent single mother of
until March 4th. This expo- five, has in many ways influ-
sition forms part of an ex- enced her development.
perimental pilot program As a child she was very in-
about Visual Art projects at trovert and in drawing peo-
Cas di Cultura. ple, found a way to express care, community develop- as a social worker, stud- that I feel, into an authentic
herself and give meaning ment, drug- and alcohol ied Orto pedagogy (2007- (abstract) portrait.”
The goal is to support this to the world around her. care and child & youth 2012) and as a single moth- On June 13, 2019 Dutch
type of art on the island. “My interest in the human welfare. er had full-time care of her Culture-Minister Ingrid van
The artist is open to connect character led to an initial It wasn't until her early for- children. Needless to say Engelshoven awarded
with her public and explain profession as a social work- ties that I followed my child- that at some point she felt Gumbs with the Golden
about her art. Naturally all er and later an education hood passion and started a out of control and had to C 2019 as a project you
the necessary Covid-19 in behavioral science (Orto part-time education in art make a choice regarding have to experience. The
measurements including pedagogy). For 20 years I (2009-2012).” At the same the focus and balance in jury chose (incl. Audience
face mask obligation are have worked in psychiatric time she continued to work her life. What followed was votes) for 'Re-fill your cup
a long journey of reflections with authenticity' by the
on her values, relationships Aruban artist.q
and authentic identity. A
journey of choices. For more information about
In 2014 she returned to her the exhibition visit Face-
island of birth (Aruba). book Cas di Cultura.q

“On one hand my abstract
artwork reveals a very col-
orful, dynamic and intuitive
reflection on my own iden-
tity, life and (spiritual) de-
velopment. On the other
hand, there's a strong drive Sand Logic
to reflect on my subjects. I
The famous Divi Divi tree is
use photos or do interviews actually called Watapana. They
as a basis for my abstract all point SouthWest due to the
portraits. This way of work- trade winds.
ing allows me to be a silent The tree works just like a
The tree works just like a
compass. So, when you’re lost
observer and listener in or- look for one they are pointing to
der to transform the energy the highrise hotels area.