Artist Statement
“Tabanca” in Trinidadian vernacular signifies a profound “lovesickness,” an intense longing or yearning that extends beyond romantic realms to encompass a profound sense of loss or absence. These photographs, captured in sacred places across Trinidad, embody the artist’s attempt to dismantle and reconstruct them, infusing each frame with the tangible imprint of their touch.
Amara’s work weaves personal experiences, cultural roots, and the intersecting realities of their existence in both Canada and their ancestry in St. Vincent and Jamaica. Driven by an innate experimental essence, the artist goes beyond mere photography, recognizing that a single snapshot often falls short. Eager to engage with these images, they playfully manipulate them, acknowledging their fragility while unveiling new layers with the release of the fear of potential damage.
Amara’s creative process draws inspiration from the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity. Through this lens, she encapsulate moments in time, preserving the essence of culture and ways of life. The deliberate act of reworking these images mirrors the fluid evolution of cultural identity, echoing the delicate balance between old and new, past and present.
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