Description

In 1982, “The Warrior”, a bracelet carved from ebony and inlaid with iridescent beetle wings, silver and tourmalines from her RCA degree show, was purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum for their permanent collection of contemporary jewels. This piece was recently chosen as the lead image for a new V&A initiative(Instagram: @vamuseum).

In 1974 Barbara returned to her birthplace,Trinidad, which has been pivotal to the distinctive development of her craft.

Over the years she has become best known for her collectable, hand-fabricated jewels and objects. Precious metals and stones are integrated with organic, ethically sourced materials such as beetle wings, turtle shell, black coral, feathers and wood, as well as resins and pigments—all carefully selected for their qualities of colour, translucency or texture. Innovative carving and inlay skills have evolved within the taut framework of traditional techniques. Ingenuity, imagination, and the influence of her sensual tropical surroundings combine with these diverse elements to create miniature works of art of enormous visual and emotional impact.

Barbara presently lives in Port of Spain where she exhibits regularly and works on private commissions.