Cosmic Flowers (2020) combines various assemblages of digital images of tropical flowers and adopts the mechanics of a kaleidoscope. Through a mirror effect, it blends shapes and colors, transforming them into different patterns. While this structure can continuously rotate on its own, the artwork comes to life in the presence of participants. As they imprint themselves into this digital space, their movements give rise to new dynamic structures. These forms echo Gumbs’ intuitive drawings, a cornerstone of his art that bridges the physical and mental realms. The intensity of individual movement sparks a dialogue between floral patterns and drawings, reminiscent of meteorological representations of hurricanes and tropical storms—common phenomena in the Caribbean.
The artwork thus creates a visual tapestry interweaving the human psyche, the body, floral motifs, and atmospheric phenomena. It plays with scale, reminding us that our relationship with the world should transcend mere distraction and leisure. Instead, it calls for a balanced and reciprocal interaction. This gesture—both playful and profound—illustrates the spiritual interconnectedness of various universes or systems, whether human, vegetal, planetary, or cosmic.
In a poetic union, the microcosm and the macrocosm converge into a singular, dynamic image. Gumbs’ work, deeply concerned with the impact of climate change on Caribbean territories—threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions—resonates now more than ever. The recent wildfires in Canada serve as a stark reminder of the global reach of climate change, affecting us all without exception.
Curator – Cécilia Bracmort
Sound design – Jeff Baillard
Exhibitions :
Tropical Bliss, Limagier, Gatineau, 2024
Untethered, Australia, 2024
AKAA art Fair Paris, 2022
From dust to gold, Telfair Musuem, Savanah, 2021