"Courtyards of New Orleans" | Patrick Waldemar

WALDEMAR, a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago is one of the Caribbean’s leading watercolorists. This series of courtyards and hidden gardens, his first solo exhibition at SJG, began a year ago and was near completion when a group of events changed the trajectory of his art. While in the COVID19 lockdown, the police killing of George Floyd started world-wide protests calling attention to police violence and racism in America.

WALDEMAR began exploring the complexity of race in America – specifically the South and the sometimes hidden stories beneath the elegance and beautiful facades. These works highlight many Southern traditions and also the pain that often lies beneath - KKK, lynching, BLACK LIVES MATTER and much more. WALDEMAR’S courtyards are lush and rich with racial tension.

WALDEMAR divides his time between New Orleans and Kingston, Jamaica. His work has been exhibited throughout Jamaica and the United States. He has been published in the American Artist Magazine and International Artist Magazine. His work is in private collections in the U.S.A., United Kingdom, Canada and
Jamaica.