Fragments of Epic Memory

This book explores Caribbean visual culture through historical and contemporary lenses, highlighting artists and their significant contributions to understanding identity and memory.

In Fragments of Epic Memory, readers are invited to explore the rich tapestry of Caribbean visual culture, which spans from the historical photographs taken after emancipation to contemporary transnational perspectives. This critical work coincides with a significant exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, showcasing an extensive selection from the renowned Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs. The book situates a variety of prints, postcards, daguerreotypes, and albums from the post-emancipation era within a broader context, illuminating the evolution of visual culture in the Caribbean.

The volume features works by influential Caribbean artists, including Wifredo Lam from Cuba and Sir Frank Bowling and Aubrey Williams from Guyana, who are part of the first generation of migrant modernist artists. In contrast, it also highlights 21st-century talents like Paul Anthony Smith, Zak Ové, Nadia Huggins, and Sandra Brewster, each bringing their unique perspectives to the narrative. Their contributions serve as vital counterpoints to the historical photographs, allowing for a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding the imperial project.

Through a combination of visual art and insightful texts by notable writers of Caribbean descent, Fragments of Epic Memory creates a conceptual generational bridge that transcends history, geography, time, and space. This book not only enriches the discourse on Caribbean identity but also celebrates the resilience and creativity of its artists across different eras.