Lucien Downes
Artist Bio
Lucien Downes is a Caribbean-born artist and curator whose work embodies freedom of thought and expression through mixed media. Drawing from his Trinidadian, Bajan, and Crucian roots, Downes infuses cultural consciousness into each piece, merging spiritual and worldly elements to evoke emotion and reflection. A self-taught artist, Downes began his professional journey while managing Pearl Arts and Crafts in Atlanta, GA, where his exposure to diverse materials inspired six distinctive styles. His works, composed of resin, acrylics, pigments, inks, fibers, and found objects, explore depth, culture, and contemporary identity. His art has been featured in galleries, publications, and private collections around the world, including those of Maya Angelou, Teddy Riley, Governor Albert Bryan Jr., University of the Virgin Islands President Safia George, Hall of Fame basketball star Tim Dunkin and others. Downes considers his artistic gift a divine calling — to uplift culture and community through visual storytelling.
Selected Exhibitions
● Visions — Sam Flax Art and Design, Atlanta, GA (2010)
● Ascension — Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta, GA (2011)
● Fazes — Atlanta Foundation for Public Space, Atlanta, GA (2012)
● Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta, GA (2012)
● The Alliance Theater for the Arts, Atlanta, GA (2011)
● Top Hat Gallery, St. Croix, USVI (2013)
● The Caribbean Fine Arts Exhibit, St. Croix, USVI (2009–2014)
● The Caribbean Colour Exhibit, St. Thomas, USVI (2013–2016)
● Elements of Culture — Walsh Metal Works, St. Croix, USVI (2015)
● New Blood Series — Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, St. Croix, USVI (2017–2021)
● Virgin Islands Contemporary — 81C, St. Thomas, USVI (2021); Cane Roots Gallery, St. Croix, USVI (2022); Fort Christian, St. Thomas, USVI (2022)
● Bajo El Sol Gallery, St. John, USVI (2021)
● The Coconut Fine Arts Exhibit, St. Croix, USVI (2021–2025)
Curatorial Projects
● Late and the Great St. Croix — Top Hat Gallery, USVI (2015)
● Art St. Croix — Top Hat Gallery, USVI (2015–2017)
● Crucian Contemporary — USVI (2017)
● Musical Canvas — Aqua Sounds Studio, St. Croix, USVI (2017)
● New Blood Series — Caribbean Museum Center, St. Croix, USVI (2017–2021)
● The Coconut Fine Arts Exhibit — St. Croix, USVI (2021–2025)
● Virgin Islands Contemporary — St. Thomas, USVI (2022)
● VI Contemporary Fine Art and Water Island Music Festival- Antilles School, St. Thomas, USVI (2024)
● Spring Equinox — Caribbean Museum Center, St. Croix, USVI (2022-2025)
Public Art Projects
● The Atlanta Belt Line Project, Atlanta, GA
● Frederiksted Mural Project, St. Croix, USVI
● Frederiksted Health Care / AIDS Billboard Project, St. Croix, USVI
● Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights Cultural Mural, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI
● I Love St. Croix Sign Project, Frederiksted, St. Croix, USVI
● Peters Farm Mural Project, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI
● Sion Farm Distilleries/Mutiny Vodka Mural Project, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI
● Florence William Public Library Mural Project, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI
● Phoenix Rising — selected by the Textile Museum of Canada to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in the WATERCOLOUR project for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games
Collections & Recognition
Works held in private and public collections, including: • Hon. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. • Maya Angelou • Teddy Riley • Jeff Johnson • Numerous private collectors across the Caribbean and United States
Media & Publications
Featured in multiple art publications, gallery catalogues, and cultural media across the Caribbean and the U.S.