Grenada National Pavilion, 57th Biennale di Venezia

http://www.grenadavenice.org Sea Lungs – Statement We are inextricable from the sea. In an island environment, not only does it sustain us economically but also physiologically. This close relation is at the heart of “Sea Lungs”; imagining that the sea fans that wash up on the beach and resemble our own cardiovascular and pulmonary systems are […]

Sea Lungs (2014 – present)

Context As someone who has grown up in the island environment, particularly Grenada, it is apparent how crucial our connection to the sea is. Whether the sea is feeding us or attracting visitors, we are in constant dialogue with and our health and well-being is in constant relation to the sea. The Sea Fans (Gorgonians) […]

“Derek Walcott’s ‘The Sea is History'” (2016)

“Derek Walcott’s ‘The Sea is History’” Video installation by Asher Mains Narration: Samuel Ogilvie Text: Sir Derek Walcott In the scope of making work that is situated in a specific time, place, and context, “Derek Walcott’s ‘The Sea is History’” is about indulging in local materiality and local cultural reference. Landscape has an […]

Bolivia Residency and Exhibit (2016)

Grenadian Artist Excels in International Contemporary Art Following a landmark year of accomplishment in contemporary art, not just for Grenada, but for the region and internationally, Asher Mains continues his studio and research practice in Bolivia from April to May this year. Mains is primarily a painter but in recent years has expanded his […]

Society: Cocoa (2016)

Society: Cocoa New Work by Asher Mains For centuries people and societies have sought after gold. For personal wealth and for the stability of society the pursuit of gold is a large chapter in the history of the Western world. Even today, the gold standard backs some of the world’s currency. When gold could not […]

Detritus in a Digital Age (2015)

I began with this work based on a call from Grenadian curator, Susan Mains. The call was for work in reference to the social flux caused by technology in Grenada. As an artist that usually identifies as a representational painter, I began by wanting to explore the way that the digital realm has affected our […]

The Gift: Social Portraiture (2014 – Present)

Originally posted on Asher Mains: Process:
The Gift: Painted Portraits for Cocoa Farmers Asher Mains ? Intro ? Growing up in Grenada, one of my favourite places to play was in the “cocoa patch” on the lush hillside that our house sat on. The broad leaves of the cocoa trees covered both the canopy and…

Grenada at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015)

Grenada at the 56th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia In its 41st year of independence, Grenada will take a great leap forward and be seen for the first time on the largest and oldest world stage, la Biennale di Venezia. Through the co-operation of Ministry of Culture, Grenada has been invited to […]

Diaphanous Series (2014)

Here are a few images of my recent new work. I have been trying to think of a succinct name for these pieces. I think of them as my “transparent” work, although they are not really transparent. I think of them as my “Sea Fan” series even though not all of the pieces have sea […]

Duct Tape Paintings (2014)

Here are a few of the duct tape paintings I did for my recent solo exhibition. The description is not cryptic, I used duct tape in the pieces along with spray paint and oil paint to give a mixed media (and mixed technique) approach to my subjects. I used a burner to melt designs into […]

Grafted Narratives (2014)

Grafted Narratives, Dual Show with Susan Mains – 2014 Asher Mains Our realities can only be shaped by the language we use to describe and interpret them. By expanding the vocabulary of our experiences we are rewarded with a more elusive, vibrant reality. The words we use can be limiting; in this body of work […]