The name J’ouvert originates from the French jour ouvert, meaning day break or morning, and signals the start of the bacchanalia that is Carnival. It is a large street party where the bodies of participants, known as “Jab Jabs”, are smeared with paint, mud, or oil.
Seeing them dance with their painted bodies sweating and twisting in the juvert celebration yet with curious facial expressions. I wondered where they came from and why they were here. They must have felt me looking at them and flashed back both a bewildered and piercing glance. The painted boy series is a manifestation of this experience. The paintings were a fun experiment in colour play that helped with relaxation and joy.
Sharon has produced a number of Abstract painted figures that represent the celebration of J’ouvert for you to enjoy.
