Jonathon Guy Gladding, Jason Nedd at Horizons

Jonathon Guy Gladding had been living in New York City, working as an animator for Sesame Street before joining the Peace Corps in 1999 and moving to St Lucia to teach woodworking. What was intended to be a two-year intervention has turned into a 12-year and counting lifestyle that is captured in his striking paintings. He found rich subject matter in his new environment, in the faces of the young children of the villages, the locals going about their daily activities and the cultural festivities of St Lucia, capturing their colourful energy and warm elements. His bright and cheerful portraits and charming landscapes make for a delightful menagerie of St Lucian culture at its finest.

Tobago born and raised, Jason Nedd started drawing at an early age, eventually developing techniques in watercolours, acrylic and his signature oils which he is so well known for today. Using lush and vibrant colours to represent his cultural influences, he delivers the distinctive Tobagonian flavour, manipulating light and shadows on his subjects to create drama and striking contrast. The pieces highlight Jason’s proficiency in his landscapes and human forms, with calming rivers and majestic waterfalls as well as Tobagonians out and about in the bright sunlight; his work holds an energy unique to Tobago that he has made his own.

With sparkling waters amidst bright green scenery to create calming impressions and bold and colourful portraits that enthrall the eyes, both artists add their unique style to the oil paintings they produce, making for an exciting and energetic exhibition that is sure to be one to remember.

The private viewing for this exhibition will take place on Tuesday April 23 from 7 pm until 8.30 pm. The exhibition will continue until May 4 during the hours of 9 am to 5.30 pm Mondays to Fridays and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays at the gallery.