
Lucien Downes
LUCIEN DOWNES is a Caribbean born artist and curator, whose work demonstrates freedom of thought and expression through mixed media. His ancestry of Trinidadian, Bajan and Crucian roots brings forward a culturally rich consciousness which emanates in his art.
Mr. Downes always had an affinity for art and photography, but did not take any steps towards creating until his tenure as general manager of Pearl Paint Atlanta, GA. As the GM, he was given many vendor samples of products which he used along with workshop, books, and critiques (from some of the top artist and teachers in the Atlanta area), to create 6 distinctive styles that he calls his own.
Lucien’s work is composed of spiritual and worldly elements that function independently at times or merge to encompass a whole. His artwork is diverse, as he draws inspiration from daily life, spiritual themes, objects, moods, and movement, and his distinctive portrayals often provoke thought and emotion. Lucien utilizes resin, acrylic, fibers, raw pigments, plexiglass, inks, dyes, and occasionally recycled objects, to create depth and dimension within culturally themed pieces culturally and depth within his pieces. His work brings a contemporary feel to everyday culturally significant subjects.
Mr. Downes career is in its 17th year and has not slowed down since selling his first painting six months after starting to teach himself how to paint. Mr. Downes believes that his ability to paint is a gift from the Creator and intends to use it for the upliftment of his culture and its people. Mr. Downes work has been highlighted in several publications, events, murals, and high-profile homes around the world.
His pieces are displayed in the homes of Maya Angelou, Teddy Riley, Jeff Johnson, The Honorable Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and other private collections around the world.
ARTIST CREDITS
CURATIONS
Top Hat Gallery, St. Croix USVI:
“Late and the Great St. Croix” 2015
“Art St. Croix” 2015
“Art St. Croix 1&2” 2016 and 2017 “Crucian Contemporary” 2017
Aqua Sounds Studio, St. Croix USVI:
“Musical Canvas” 2017
Caribbean Museum Center:
“New Blood (1,2,3,4)”
2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
“The Coconut Fine Arts Exhibit” St. Croix, USVI 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
“Virgin Islands Contemporary” St. Thomas, USVI 2022
"Virgin Islands Contemporary" St. Croix, USVI
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
PUBLIC WORKS
Atlanta Belt Line Project : Atlanta, GA
Frederiksted Mural Project : St. Croix USVI
Frederiksted Health Care Inc./Aids Billboard Project : Fredriksted, St. Croix USVI
The Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights Cultural Mural : Christiansted, St. Croix
I Love St. Croix Installation:
Frederiksted, St Croix USVI
Downes’ painting, Phoenix Rising, was selected by the Textile Museum of Canada to represent the USVI in their project WATERCOLOUR.
(This project included designs from artists originating in Pan American countries to create a flotilla of customized sails which could navigate Lake Ontario’s shoreline, from Oshawa to Welland, as part of the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games)
SOLO EXHIBITS
Sam Flax Art & Design Atlanta, GA
"Visions" 2010
GA Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
"Ascension" 2011
Atlanta Foundation for Public Space Atlanta, GA
"Fazes" 2012
The Alliance Theater for the Arts Atlanta, GA
"Rise" 2011
81C St. Thomas, USVI
"Virgin Island Contemporary" 2022


