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D’Abreau puts HerStory on show
Local artist explores power, womanhood in first exhibition
Published:
Friday, September 21, 2012
“In the most idealistic sense, my work strives to focus on the beauty of the female, inclusive of her body and mind. Through my work, I question the gender roles we oftentimes take for granted, and explore the effect of socialisation on the female identity,”—Gabriella D’Abreau
Gabriella D’Abreau will stage her first solo art exhibition titled “HerStory” at the Art Society building in Federation Park, St Clair, from September 28 to October 6. D’Abreau was born and raised in Trinidad, but completed her BFA in Illustration at St John’s University, NY, graduating with highest honours in May 2010. Prior to completing her degree she attended Holy Name Convent, Port-of-Spain, where she completed both her CXC examinations and Cambridge A-Level examinations, the latter of which earned her a National Scholarship from the government of Trinidad and Tobago. She has won several awards, including an award for her artwork in the St John’s University Art Department Student Show in 2009. In 2010 D’Abreau interned at the prestigious Society of Illustrators (New York), in order to increase her experience in the field of illustration.
She is experienced in teaching art, having both worked at a summer camp, Camp Robindel, in New Hampshire in 2009, and at South East Secondary School, Port-of-Spain, from 2010-2011. She has been working in the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism since December 2011 where she has gained further experience as a graphic artist, as well as experience in event planning, audience, and festival development. She has been a member of the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago since 2010, taking on a more active position as a member of the exhibitions committee for the May 2012 Exhibition. “My work is dominated by concepts of power—the existence, lack of and abuse of it. In the most idealistic sense, my work strives to focus on the beauty of the female, inclusive of her body and mind.
Through my work, I question the gender roles we oftentimes take for granted, and explore the effect of socialisation on the female identity,” she said. “Additionally, my work celebrates the beauty of the female form and encourages increased female self-awareness through the de-stigmatisation of the female body. “I am inspired by the similarities and differences in the human experience as seen through the kaleidoscope of the feminine perspective. Symbology plays a large role in my work. Symbols aim to convey on a literal and metaphorical basis, complex concepts, often with double entendres.
The themes and messages that I aim to express are always expressed subtly rather than blatantly. My work usually has a deeper purpose than what is suggested on the surface: in doing so I motivate the viewer to look beyond superficial exteriors. “The aim is that the viewer is forced to have a discourse with the work and really think about its meaning and the implications. The viewer in essence finishes off a piece. “Through visual manifestations of power, my art celebrates the internal power that the female holds within herself. My work is a testament to woman, celebrating who she was, who she is and what she may become.”
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