Mango Tango Art Gallery in St. Thomas unveils three unique shows on Saturday, March 29 from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Brian Murphy presents new engaging impressionist oil paintings of local scenes. The gallery will offer Arona Peterson’s fanciful acrylic paintings that personify the essence of herbs, most created in the 80’s. Bruce Smith’s acrylic on hardboard joyful paintings of life at sea were painted on his sailboat in the 90’s.
Brian Murphy came to the Virgin Islands after graduating from Savanah College of Art and Design. His wife’s family managed Independent Boat Yard and introduced him to their love of the sea. Mango Tango Art Gallery has featured his art for 19 years. His subject matter is often the old buildings of downtown, the many beaches of the island, and still life gems. He moved to Ashville, North Carolina a few years ago, noting that he lives the best of two worlds–home in Ashville and family in St. Thomas.
Murphy’s art process is impressionism. This intimate show is called Solitary Moments. He had wanted to have more paintings, but Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on his neighborhood. Gallery owner, Jane Coombes told him whatever he painted would be fine as the gallery looks for quality, not quantity. Each Brian Murphy painting is created with vibrant unblended colors and with quick brushstrokes. Light reflects off his canvas with luminosity. Quite simply, each painting captures a solitary moment.
Arona Petersen was born in 1908, a time that revered the art of story-telling. This was how islanders learned how preceding generations lived. Petersen mastered the oral tradition, sharing stories in order to both entertain and to educate. She went on to write several books which included local folklore and the use of local herbs for cooking and for medicinal purposes. Her knowledgeable voice was heard on the local radio stations and she enjoyed a weekly column in the newspaper. In her home overlooking the harbor, folks could visit for the tasty local food she would prepare, as well as for her recipes, health advice, and herbs for ailments and island dishes.
Our legislature has named her one of the top eight women to influence the Virgin Islands. In 1978, Fort Christian hosted an exhibition of her drawings, paintings, and books. This current exhibition showcases her art. Sadly, her books are out of print. (Maybe someone can help us rectify this situation.)
In the late 80’s, a young Bruce Smith painted names on vessels in a small marina in St. Maarten. The Tarberts owned a nearby grocery store. They asked him if he would paint some signage for them. Each sign included the name, price, and by Smith’s choice, a humorous illustration. Soon tourists were buying the signs as fast as he could paint them.
As he and his wife, a journalist, continued to explore the islands, he transitioned from sign painting to mastering the art of mural painting. His dynamic choice of color and subject matter soon adorned the walls of many bars and restaurants in lively murals. Exquisite ones elevated the ambience of eateries in St. Barth and and St. Maarten.
As he, his wife, and son resumed sailing throughout the Caribbean, he began creating paintings on hardboard on his boat. He found a ready market for his new works, especially among fellow sailors. Mango Tango was fortunate to discover him and galleries in each port eagerly awaited his arrival. Years later, the founders of Bahama Breeze, a Caribbean restaurant chain in Florida, recalled the engaging murals of Bruce Smith in St. Barth and other restaurants in the Lesser Antilles. They commissioned him to paint a mural in each of their locations, solidifying his legacy as a celebrated Caribbean artist.
To add to the evening’s festivities, renowned keyboardist Louis Taylor and conga virtuoso Ras Abu will offer jazzy tunes in the parking lot, where spirits and appetizers will be served.
The show continues for one month. View the shows on the gallery’s website: mangotangoart.com. For more information call 340-777-3060.
