On a recent buying trip in the Caribbean we came across a different style of painting that was truly impressive. We have called it Taino Art, though surely that is taking some liberty with what some art aficionados might think.

The Taino Indians were the dominant culture in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and the Bahamas during the Pre Columbian era (from about 1200 AD to the arrival of Columbus in 1492).

The Taino were a very creative people expressing themselves through their art, jewelry, sculpture, dance, music and poetry. Today evidence of their culture is seen in words we use from their language such as: barbeque, canoe, hammock and hurricane!

The Taino were also a spiritual people. They believed that a supernatural being created the world and that all things, such as rain, fertility, wind etc., were attributed to spirits that controlled them. Each of these spirits were represented by a figure and these figures can be seen etched on walls of caves or carved out of stone. The turtle is a very significant figure for the Taino because it represents their ancestral mother; therefore, you will see many turtle figures in their artwork. Taino artwork is varied and includes finely detailed and polished sculptures carved in wood, ornaments made from shell and bone, and ceramics that are decorated with animals, birds and intricate geometric designs.

The pieces that we’ve chosen take from the ancient Taino in that they reflect the symbols and designs of the culture. The paintings are rich in texture and color. The naive nature reflects an innocence and a longing to connect with the spiritual world. The artists use a variety of mediums in their work. First the canvas is prepared and painted. A burlap type material is then glued onto this surface. Finally an epoxy is used to cover the entire piece. The canvases offer depth and dimension as well as a simplicity that reflects life.