An extraordinary artistic homage to calypso legend Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) continues its international journey with the exhibition ‘Sparrow Come Back Home,’ currently showcased at Cincinnati’s Weston Art Gallery through January 11. The exhibition features an impressive collection of 360 meticulously crafted ceramic tiles reproducing both front and back covers from 180 of Sparrow’s albums and 12-inch singles, complemented by career timeline displays and memorabilia cases.
The project originated in 2010 when visual artists Carmel Buckley and Mark Harris received an invitation to participate in Sculpture Key West, Florida. Drawing upon Harris’s Trinidadian heritage and childhood exposure to calypso music, the artists conceived an installation that would celebrate Caribbean cultural legacy. Their initial concept involved creating 20 hand-made tiles with decals of Sparrow’s record covers, installed within botanical gardens with accompanying Trinidad-recorded music.
Over subsequent years, the exhibition evolved into a comprehensive archival project utilizing German-printed decals fired onto commercial tiles. The collection expanded significantly through collaborations with British collectors Graham Johnstone and Dmitri Subtsky, encompassing rare covers produced in diverse locations including Nigeria, demonstrating the global reach of Caribbean music migration patterns.
The exhibition has enjoyed multiple prestigious showings, including presentations at Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts (2014), Cincinnati’s Clay Street Press Gallery (2016), and London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts reading room (2016-2017). The London engagement featured screenings of the documentary ‘Calypso Dreams’ and a DJ set by artist Peter Doig during opening ceremonies.
As Mighty Sparrow celebrates his 90th birthday milestone, the artists express hope for future exhibitions during New York Carnival celebrations and potential Caribbean presentations, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago. While considering permanent placement options, logistical challenges remain due to the substantial weight and fragile nature of the ceramic pieces.