Crafty Designs

Autumn - Island Arts & Craft

In many areas of the Caribbean, if you were to judge Arts and Crafts purely on first impressions, you may be left with the sense that unoriginal, imported pieces are the total sum of what is on offer. Globalisation has flooded markets with inferior, mass-produced souvenir and craft items, making it difficult for art admirers to acquire unique authentic Caribbean craft. The industry has been badly affected with many traditional skills dying out, an increasing shortage of skilled craftspeople and those remaining struggling to compete in a changing market.

Dominica is no exception, but if you scratch a little further beneath the surface you will find that this small island has a number of diverse, talented, creative individuals, both local and those who have made Dominica their home.

The natural, rugged beauty of Dominica and the raw materials which can be found on island, have served to inspire many artists and craftspeople. 

English artist and craftsman Andy Manley has drawn inspiration for his art from his surrounds in Alaska, the UK and now Dominica. Andy’s unique interior design collection is truly innovative, as he sensitively uses local sustainable materials such as driftwood, exotic woods and bamboo to create extremely individual pieces.

A UK trained glass blower, Andy’s work also includes paintings, handcrafted furniture and interior accessories all beautifully stylish but also fully functional.  For Andy, as with other overseas and local artists, the lush and wild beauty of Dominica and the availability of raw materials all over the island are a source of constant creative motivation and stimulation.

His superior craftsmanship has received worthy recognition, with his bamboo lighting range winning ‘best handcrafted product’ at the 2006 Caribbean Gift & Craft Show held in St. Kitts. Andy looks forward to hopefully repeating that success at the 2007 World Trade Center in Curaçao. 

Examples of Andy’s Caribbean Crafts can be seen on his showcase website and Cocorico on the Bay Front, Roseau, Dominica.

The stunning work of wood and Fougére (tree fern) carver Julie Joseph is an intricate and beautiful testimony to over 25 years experience.

Julie’s carved designs harmonise perfectly to fit the contours and grain of the red or white cedar wood, seeming as though they were crafted there from the beginning. Each one of his pieces tells a unique spiritual narrative, expressing the passion he feels for his natural surroundings, his thoughts are clearly evident in the subject matter of his carvings. Constantly enthused by “the natural vibes” of his Dominican homeland

Julie is never short of inspiration to weave into his work - plants, animals, history and folklore are blended together into his captivating sculptures. At a recent successful exhibition held in Dominica, Julie explained how, before the daily process of carving can even begin, the arduous cycle of transporting, meticulous cleaning and preparing the wood needs to be undertaken. Seeing the incredible detail of each piece and knowing that only rudimentary tools (nothing electric) are utilized, one can respect the craftsmanship, talent and spirituality of this artist.

Julie’s work can be seen at this home in Loubiere, Dominica. So if you’re looking for something authentic and original for your home or to decorate your hotel or guest house, a souvenir or gift item, then it would be well worth your while to hunt down the creative talent that exists in Dominica, within and outside Roseau. 

Text by Celia Sorhaindo, Photography provided by Celia Sorhaindo & Andy Manley