Carnival Tabanca

For those who long for the excitement of jumping and waving, the burst of colors, the rhythm of carnival and soca! During the pandemic, Toronto was without Caribana. This parade draws thousands from both inside and outside of Toronto to celebrate West Indian and Caribbean culture in the heart of the city.

Tabanca: a poignant feeling of unrequited love.

From this feeling, 'Carnival Tabanca' was born. "Carnival Tabanca" is my ode to a lost love rediscovered through this painting. It depicts six women, all adorned in mas costumes, captured in various states of motion. The brushstrokes echo the dynamic movement of each woman, just as you'd witness on Carnival day itself.

On this 36"x 24" wooden gallery-style canvas, the costumes are embellished with real dried flowers, replacing traditional feathers you'd see on road, alongside over 400 Swarovski Crystals. These are carefully secured onto the painting one by one. To ensure the longevity and durability of the artwork, a final top coat of shimmering gold-glittered resin seals the piece, creating a captivating sheen that enhances the colors and details. This meticulous process ensures that neither the flowers nor the crystals will ever detach, preserving the artwork's integrity for years to come. "Carnival Tabanca" is truly a labor of love, a fusion of artistry and passion that captures the essence of Caribana in a unique and unforgettable way. These elements add depth and texture, bringing the painting to life and enhancing its tactile appeal.

This piece is a recreation of my previous piece 'What a Bam Bam' [2017] that I created earlier in my artistic journey. I wanted to recreate this piece as a show of my progress in a way, and the growth from where I started.