TOWN ISLAND.
EXHIBITION. 2024

Town Island, by Carriacou/Huddersfield artist Benaiah Matheson, unites the essence of Carriacou and Huddersfield, bridging cultures, borders and generations.

Inspired by the vibrant tapestry of migration and permanently temporal belonging, this Venice Biennale presentation showcases artworks created across two pieces subtitled ‘Movements’ in response to a series of 120 flags, painted by the diaspora and indigenous communities of Huddersfield and Carriacou; their gestures and movements weave their way into the flags with stories, hopes and dreams. 

Matheson, in collaboration with diverse community groups and educational institutions, explores the intersection of heritage, identity and shared experiences; highlighting the rich vibrancy of multiculturalism and the international reach of artistic voices. Grenada mainland shares its jurisdiction with neighbouring islands Petit Martinique & Carriacou. During the 1950s, Britain’s call to its commonwealth nations brought diaspora communities to its shore, and with it a significant community of Carriacou people ‘Kayaks’, who settled in the northern West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. Home to several non-British communities, Huddersfield is a uniquely multicultural UK town.

Town Island has been commissioned by Grenada Arts Council for the Venice Biennale and is supported by Yorkshire Contemporary (formerly The Tetley) with The British Council, Kirklees Council, NHS England, Arts Council England, Grenadian National Museum, LUTRA, SO Productions.

Key mentions to: Akeelah Bertram, Andrew Warburton, Ama Jaba, Broadening Horizons, Brooklyn Arts Council, Bryony Bond, Calder Graphics, Conscious Youth Huddersfield, Desiree Shaw, Delmara Cudjoe-Green, Emma Beverly, Ellen Burroughs, Emma Cookson, Ezra Lloyd Jackson, Georgia Taylor-Aguilar, Giles Tettey Nardy, Julian Knxx, Kemlyn Cudjoe, Kysier Alexis Matthew, Laura Yvonne Townsend, The Miilk Factory, Netherhall Learning Campus, Patrick Bedeau, PLEAT, Rasu Jilani, Sarah Frankland, Saving Grace Music, SEED Archives, START, T. A. Marryshow Community College, Thabo Mkwananzi, Winifred Cudjoe.