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Friday 27 OctOber 2023 locAl
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Episode LXXII- (72) : A glimpse into 20th century “Dutch” Caribbean Art

ORANJESTAD — It is obvi- Aruba`s National Anthem.
ous that we cannot men- European artists, profes-
tion all those who partici- sionals and amateurs trav-
pated and contributed with eled to all the islands of the
their love, passion and tal- Caribbean, some of them
ent in our Dutch Caribbean establishing and inaugu-
expressionism that was al- rated a local art related
ways marked by exuber- to the academy and styles
ance, rebellion, impulses of their Europe academies
and feelings related to the from the 19th and early
temperament of the artist, 20th centuries.
but chose barely the fol- Expressionism was a way
lowing artists. of affirming identity. In
short, the expressionism
From out this early Dutch that, devoid of taboos and
Caribbean expressionistic impositions, permeated
point of view and misce- the Netherlands Antilles,
genation, which combines permeated an important
realism and surrealism, al- sector of Anglophone art
ternating and adding ab- (English-speaking coun-
straction and figuration, tries) -in particular Jamaica
according to individual op- and Barbados-, reached
tions of an art expression in the Francophones: Gua-
constant renewal a partic- deloupe, Martinique, Haiti
ular style began to emerge and flourished in 1950 in
in the mid-1940s. Spanish-speaking coun-
The diverse shared roots tries such as Santo Domin-
made that Caribbean art go and Puerto Rico and
adapted constantly to a decade later it arrived
change. However Aruba’s in Cuba as an ideological
indigenous heritage and and aesthetic manifesta-
patrimonial legacy kept its tion of shock. Dutch Ca- then left for Curacao in rustic landscapes of our is- an orientation trip could as
strong aesthetic values. ribbean Art development 1929, was one of the ear- lands. well become a permanent
Hubert “Lio” Booi who was (Aruba and the Nether- liest artists working and In 1960 Amigo de Curacao situation and thus began
born in Bonaire (*1919- lands Antilles) in the former teaching in the region, newspaper dedicated a his life in Curaçao” leav-
+2014), but lived in Aruba colonies in the beginning of from who`s many works are column to Theo van Delft: ing behind beautiful works
since 1937 had shown his the 20th century painters in still very valued by collec- - "It must have been about for the next generations to
appreciation for our is- Aruba also worked accord- tors. ten years ago that Theo enjoy.
land trough and by every ing to the traditional, Euro- Another painter was The- from Delft came to Cura- To get to know more about
means possible which in- pean academic style. odorus Josephus van Delft, çao, coming from a family Aruba and its origins, its an-
cluded art, music and liter- The Greek artist, Johannes alias: Theo van Delft Jansz of painters himself, was of- imals, culture etc., we high-
ature. Lio has dedicated his Pandellis (1896-1965) who (1914- 2005) who lived in fered a position as a teach- ly recommend you to book
life to Aruba and its culture went first to Suriname dur- Curacao and Aruba for a er. Theo van Delft knew your participation. Living
and is also a co- author of ing the First World War and while, he enjoyed painting that what had started as our cultural encounter ses-
sion is mind opening and
Article by: Etnia Nativa entertained curious hearts
for decades already. Mail
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book us at etnianativa03@gmail.
com. Our facilities and
your Aruban exprerience activities take place close
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