ColorMeSXM is a project on Sint Maarten by Be The Change Foundation. The project aims to add colour to the island through murals, promote our local art and artists, and encourage residents and visitors to explore and share the beauty of our island. For the first phase of this project, 12 artists were selected to create 12 murals in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.
ColorMeSXM is supported and made possible by the Government of Sint Maarten; Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau; Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport; The Prins Bernhard Foundation; Sherwin Williams; La Vista and other partners and volunteers. You can keep looking forward each week to reading about the artists behind the ColorMeSXM murals being featured in Philipsburg.
Caribbean Through My Eyes by Zillah Duzon-Hazel
“Caribbean Through My Eyes” is a beautifully coloured work of art located on Front Street across from Oranje School. The mural took four weeks with the artist working from 6:00 to 11:00 most nights with the help of volunteers.
The concept and inspiration behind the beautiful piece comes from the artist’s life. Of the inspiration, Duzon says, “I am a fashion designer and I create these bold colourful prints for my brand ‘Jolie Duzon’. I am inspired by nature; the beautiful colours and lifestyle of the Caribbean. The prints on the mural are three out of over 100 prints that I have created for my clothing designs and hand-painted clutches. I chose two prints that people really love from my print collection which are the WATERMELON STARFLOWER PRINT and the JD CITRUS PRINT. The TROPICAL LEAVES PRINT is my personal favourite.”
Duzon: “While working on this mural project, I was asked to dedicate one of my paintings as an appreciation for the nurses. So that is the next project I will be working on and of course I will continue to create my clutches and tote bags with the colourful, bold prints that are on my mural and many more. I am open to creating more murals for persons who are interested. I really had fun doing this project and I loved seeing and hearing people's reactions to my bold prints.”
If you want to check out more of her prints, search for her images on the Jolie Duzon Instagram and Facebook page. Contact info: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Mobile: +1 721 581 7400.
Freedom Run by Annemiek van Kerkhof-Posthuma
The second mural in this week’s line-up is a culture come alive. It’s located on St. Jansteeg, the first alley on your left, past the Methodist Church on Front Street. The piece is called “Freedom Run” and was created by artist Annemiek van Kerkhof-Posthuma, who took 13 days to complete the work, with help from her friend, Saskia Kliphuis, who assisted with filling in some of the larger surfaces and the rock wall.
The concept and inspiration behind the art were chosen from a historical design. Van Kerkhof-Posthuma: “Twice, I have been a participant in the re-enactment of the Freedom Run from Diamond Estate to Bellevue, which made a great impression on me. Imagine the many emotions the slaves felt as they ran from their captors, and finally were free. I hope to have captured some of these emotions. Two days after the French side of the island abolished slavery in 1848, some 26 slaves ran for their lives from Diamond Estate across the border to Bellevue to freedom. Eventually, slavery was abolished on the Dutch side in 1863.”
Van Kerkhof-Posthuma went on to say, “The French impressionists of the second half of the 19th century, my vacations in Spain, a long stay in Brazil and living in St. Maarten are my sources of inspiration, making me use bright, vibrant colours and making me use purple to indicate dark spots.” Ceramics, sculptures, drawings, paintings and other murals are among van Kerkhof-Posthuma’s other artistic projects. Her work dates back to 1984 and up till today, she continues to practice her craft and to participate in art exhibitions in the Netherlands, the United States, the Dutch islands and right here on SXM.
During the years 1986 to 2008, van Kerkhof-Posthuma was an art teacher at several schools including Sundial, MPC, No Kidding with our Kids Foundation afternoon school activities and SIFMA. She also kept busy as an illustrator, editor, scenery and stand-designer/builder of the Vintage car club Fiat 500 Club Nederland. A designer and decorator at Artemia Event Planners, van Kerkhof-Posthuma does Court drawings and is the cartoonist for The Daily Herald. Some of her other works include murals at School Amsterdam-Osdorp, Play school Camalau, Paraiba, Brazil, Get Wet Bar, Philipsburg Sint Maarten Home, Sint Maarten Medical Center’s children’s ward, and Belair Beach Hotel.
Van Kerkhof-Posthuma: “At this moment, I am unemployed, creating my own art. I want to start ceramic classes for adults, and I am exploring the possibilities to start a social workplace/lunch room which gives an opportunity to persons with a challenge to work, as well as to create a work experience place for vocational students in St. Maarten.
Make sure to stop by Zillah Duzon-Hazel’s “Caribbean Through My Eyes” and Annemiek van Kerkhof-Posthuma’s “SXM Paradise” while you’re in Philipsburg; or take a special trip just to admire them and take pictures with their work and that of others.
Hear about more of the artists every week, right here in the Out n’ About. Curious to see what art they are creating before it’s done? Follow @colormesxm on Instagram or Be The Change Foundation on Facebook to learn more.
