WILLEMSTAD - On Monday, April 7, three new sculptures will be unveiled at the Blue Bay Sculpture Garden. These impressive works have been created by both young talents from Instituto Buena Bista (IBB) and an established artist. Their pieces reflect themes such as protection, movement, strength, memory, and a connection to the island’s nature and history. 

Hiding in Plain Spikes 

Leonie Lewin (20) and Sean G. Capella (19), students at Instituto Buena Bista, collaborated on the sculpture Hiding in Plain Spikes, which has been selected for the Blue Bay Sculpture Garden collection. Their work is inspired by the symbiotic relationship between a hermit crab and a sea urchin. Using wood and metal, they depict how vulnerability and protection can strengthen one another. The geometric spikes reference the sun, while the hermit crab curiously gazes out into the world. The piece is not just a visual narrative but also an ode to collaboration and personal growth. 

Fish 

In the piece Fish, created during a workshop by Madou Lammers (19) and Stephanie de Araujo, the underwater world comes to life. Inspired by museum skeletons and constructed from wood and metal, they created an abstract orca skeleton. The pedestal, painted by Stephanie, depicts a dreamy, painted environment of the animal. The sculpture, which gently moves in the wind, seems to long for the distant sea—a subtle poetic reference to life, transience, and movement. 

La Memoria de la Cantera Blaauw 

Renowned Cuban sculptor Angel Luis De la Rosa, who has lived in Curaçao since 2009, presents La Memoria de la Cantera Blaauw. This monumental work is a tribute to the workers of the historic Blaauw quarry, which played a significant role in the island’s development. 

Crafted from local wood species, the sculpture is the first in a series called Los Gigantes and embodies the strength, beauty, and resilience of the human form and labor. De la Rosa combines traditional techniques with a contemporary vision, making the past tangible in the present. The artwork serves as a "memory of the Blaauw quarry." Built in 1936, the quarry pulverized large rocks into gravel and sand, widely used as a foundation for unpaved roads. 

The sculpture is inspired by humanity’s ability to carve a path through nature and undertake demanding, high-risk activities like mining. At the same time, the quarry was an essential driver of the island’s economic and social growth. 

A Platform for Encounter and Development 

Each of these artworks highlights the power of creative craftsmanship, collaboration, and the connection between past, present, and future. They emphasize the importance of art as a learning process, a form of expression, and a means of making societal themes in Curaçao visible. 

Instituto Buena Bista (IBB) 

IBB is a center for contemporary art and art education in Curaçao, guiding young talents and bridging the gap between the local context and the international art scene. Through education, artist residencies, and public programming, IBB has become a unique cultural platform in the region. 

Blue Bay Sculpture Garden Foundation 

The Blue Bay Sculpture Garden is a growing public collection of sculptures by local and international artists. The garden provides a platform for both established names and emerging creators, contributing to the visibility and development of visual arts in Curaçao. 

The realization of these sculptures was made possible through contributions from the Blue Bay Resort Homeowners’ Association, MNO, Irie Tours, and Lemon Grass.