Down in the southern part of the Caribbean lies the small and less touristic island of Saint Vincent. A lush location of about 140,000 people, most who are raised on the island don’t leave it very often. Just why is that? It’s not because they only want to stay in St. Vincent all the time, but rather it is because of the restrictions that are imposed on the people. Obtaining visas to go to Europe and the States is often quite difficult. This is chiefly because of fears that if they issue visas to the the citizens of St. Vincent, they would never return to their own country. While it is a valid concern, people all around the world should have the freedom to travel if they have the desire and means to.
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One of the islands inhabitants, Akley Olton, is building an art movement on the island he calls “Island Rebel.” He describes it as follows:
“iRebel is the realization of an identity I have searched for all my life. As a person and as an artist iRebel represents a diversion, a change, a rebellion, and revolution against social restriction.”
On an island with high unemployment and the lack of a thriving visual arts community, Akley hopes to contribute to social and cultural development by promoting regional collaboration among Caribbean nations on various industry projects. His intends to further regional integration and make steps toward the establishment of a sustainable arts industry in the Caribbean. To learn more of Akley’s projects click here
