Studio Joli in Trinidad is poised to present its second collaborative art exhibition this February, featuring the contrasting yet complementary works of Dominic Telfer and Justyna Burkowska. The exhibition will create a visual dialogue between Telfer’s cool, lush gouache paintings and Burkowska’s warm, vibrant oil canvases, all unified by their focus on capturing the essence of the seasonal landscape.
Dominic Telfer’s journey to this exhibition is a story of rediscovery. After abandoning art as a profession in 1970s Oxford, he embarked on a four-decade career in telecommunications. However, his artistic passion remained undiminished. Now returned to Trinidad, Telfer finds profound joy in painting the local, everyday scenes that he feels are rapidly vanishing. This emotional connection to his subject matter translates powerfully onto the canvas, forging a strong bond with viewers. He has become a recognizable figure in Queen’s Park Savannah, often working en plein air with gouache—an opaque, water-based medium prized for its immediacy and favored by illustrators.
Justyna Burkowska, a Polish national who relocated to the Caribbean, underwent her own artistic transformation. Her palette evolved dramatically from the earthy tones of her past to the bright, vibrant colors inspired by her new environment. Although she works professionally as a TOEFL English teacher, Burkowska is a self-taught artist who creates primarily in the studio using oil on canvas. Her work draws inspiration from the rich fauna and flora of the Caribbean, which she describes as offering “endless creativity.”
The exhibition opens with a reception on February 5 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and will continue through February 23. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Studio Joli, located at 21 Henry Pierre Street, St. James. Additional information is available by phone at 705-7907 or 705-7909, via email at studiojoli.tt@gmail.com, or through the studio’s social media channels and website at www.studiojoli.net.