Justin Downey

  • Justin  Downey
© Justin Downey
Painter
Principal country concerned : Column : Fine arts

Life on a small island is not as glamorous or as exciting as some people would have us believe, in fact it is far from this. It is a life of boring monotony where narrow-minded conservatism rules supreme and privacy is almost non-existent. As a result, I feel trapped. Surrounded by a vast ocean that seems impossible to escape. Through the media, travel and the internet, I am afforded glimpses of life in a more "advanced" metropolis.

The small island therefore to me is like a bird cage, beautiful yet limiting.


The chicken is a bird which can not fly, yet it is caged. This for me is perhaps the total irony as I sometimes see myself in a similar situation. Caged in this island with the desire to be set free and live my life to its fullest, yet unsure and almost afraid of stepping out of my cage and into the free world.

What is the use of leaving my cage if I am afraid, or indeed, can not fly?

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Media, Sports and Entertainment Group (MSE)
  • Gens de la Caraïbe
  • Groupe 30 Afrique
  • Alliance Française VANUATU
  • PACIFIC ARTS ALLIANCE
  • FURTHER ARTS
  • Zimbabwe : Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust
  • RDC : Groupe TACCEMS
  • Rwanda : Positive Production
  • Togo : Kadam Kadam
  • Niger : ONG Culture Art Humanité
  • Collectif 2004 Images
  • Africultures Burkina-Faso
  • Bénincultures / Editions Plurielles
  • Africiné
  • Afrilivres

With the support of