Artwork at LPIA
Nassau Airport Development intentionally created a place of experience, where architecture, art and landscape reflect and celebrate the iconic destination that is The Bahamas. This approach, a hallmark of Vantage Airport Group’s network airports, means that from the moment passengers step off the plane and into LPIA’s terminals, they know that they are in The Bahamas.
This sense of place is on display through thoughtful architectural design elements, such as the airport’s undulating roof line, reminiscent of an ocean wave. It is further brought to life with the airport’s incredible collection of custom art, most of which is the work of local Bahamian artists who were commissioned to create pieces expressly for the redeveloped airport. In fact, over the course of the four-year, three-stage terminal redevelopment, 13 unique pieces of art were commissioned and installed. From wall-spanning murals and larger-than-life statues to breathtaking water features, the redeveloped LPIA offers visitors a spectacular introduction to the culture and artistry of The Bahamas.
Some of the collection’s standout pieces include Taking Flight, a large-scale installation featuring The Bahamas’ pink feathered ambassadors, West Indian flamingos, taking flight across several walls in the Departures area of the Domestic & International Terminal. Rendered in oil paint on aluminum, there are 84 life-sized flamingos in the flock.
In the same terminal, passengers descend an escalator under Bubbles, a collection of more than 150 hand blown marine blue glass orbs of varying sizes, suspended from a sheet of reflective stainless steel high above.
In the U.S. Terminal, passengers regularly stop and take photos with We Rushin’, a riotously colourful pair of bronzed figures, dancing in full Junkanoo costume, the dazzling traditional street performance art of The Bahamas. Also celebrating the best of The Bahamas is Bahamas Experience, a lively mural gracing the wall above the Departures gate area in the Domestic and International Terminal.
-
- Flamingoes Artist: Dede Brown Installed: 2013 The majority of the Flamingoes congregate around Lake Rose on the island of Great Inagua. Once roaming the entire neo-tropical region, the species was hunted into extinction, their numbers falling to as low as 5,000 in the 1950’s. Today, protected under The Bahamas Wild Bird Protection Act, the population has grown to about 80,000 birds and has recolonized on other islands in The Bahamas. Including Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins Island, The Exumas, Long Island and Andros.
-
- Bubbles Artist: Antonius Roberts Date Installed: 2011 The work captures the essence of The Bahamas and embodies and represents all the qualities we associate with our Waters – clarity of light, floating, weightless, translucency, freedom of movement. The installation is composed of five modules, each containing 30 hand blown glass bubbles varying in sizes, suspended from highly reflective marine stainless steel shaped sheet, floating above passengers.
-
- Gust: Artist: John Cox Installed: 2011 Fifty-One 3’ x 3’ paintings of gusting palm trees cropped closely focusing on wing inspired movement of branches. Each painting individually depicts a distinct tree in a distinct posture.
-
- SENSE OF PLACE Artists: John Paul Installed: 2013 Date Installed: ‘A colourful past with colourful character’ best describes this pictorial timeline of The Bahamas experience. The island of New Providence is replete with new world history from the historic Lucayan villages at Clifton, to the pirate hub in Nassau Harbour, to the contemporary festivals steeped in rich West African tradition. This fascinating story of our islands provides a vibrant setting for the visitor’s experience of a modern Bahamas.
-
- Bahama Land Artist: Imogene Walkine Installed: 2012 This piece is a ceramic mural that will be in deep relief incorporating a combination of Junkanoo images with elements from nature. The piece will have contrasting colors that are typical of nature in The Bahamas. It will be constructed and then assembled in pieces—like a puzzle (mounted on plywood). 11’ wide x 14’ high
-
- Playing with the Spirits: Artist: John Beadle Installed: 2011 The Rake and Scrape Band consists of three independently standing forms. Each figure/musician plays a different instrument: the drum. The squeeze box and the saw. The gesture emphasizes the ‘sweetness’ of the composition being performed. The work is made out of carved reinforced, colored concrete.
-
- Royal Native Welcome Artist: Keisha Oliver Installed: 2012 Three dimensional, hand carved sculpture made from man-made material (fiberglass/resin), resembling a traffic police officer dressed in his authoritative crisp white tunic and pith helmet. The piece will act as a welcome sculpture to direct arriving passengers to the Immigration hall. Approx 9.5’ high
-
- We Rushin’ Artist: Nicole Sweeting Installed: 2011 Originally created as a day of celebration for slaves, Junkanoo has eveolved in organization, design and material. In spite of these developments, Junkanoo has never diverted fromts African heritage and retains its position as an important part of the Bahamian culture. The Spirit of Junkanoo lives on and twice per year, Bahamians ‘rush’ in the streets undisturbed and uninhibited to celebrate their heritage, to forget the cares of life and to let loose. In We Rushin’ the dancers are adorned in thematic costumes representative of the Junkanoo of more recent times.
-
- The Right Honorable Sir Lynden O. Pindling Artist: local sculptor, Peter Johnston. Installed: 2015 Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling was affectionately known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ after leading as Prime Minister for over 25 years. In recognition of his many contributions to the country, a life-sized statue was erected at the entrance of the International wing of the Lynden Pindling International Airport. The statue took two (2) years to build
-
- Bahamas Experience Artist: Jolyon Smith Installed: 2012 This is a quilting of imagery showcasing the beauty of The Bahamas Islands, representing iconic landmarks, landscape and traditions unique to each island. Inspired by an image of a colonial era Bahamian stamp, the illustration are arranged into a collection of brilliantly coloured stamps, finished with metallic frame surround. The artwork is an assemblage of 16 stretched canvases. 26’ wide x 17’ high
-
- Paradise: Artist: Susa Katz-Lightbourn Installed: 2011 27 individual unconnected 2’ x 2’ three dimensional collages on canvas, spaced 6 inches apart on all sides. The depth of each canvas is 2 inches. The 27 works offer their own unique message of subjects that are indicative of The Bahama islands.
-
- Mailboats Artist: Melissa Maura Installed: 2012 Two dimensional wooden renditions of the local mail boats and fishing vessels found in the harbour, with their interesting and unique details such as fishing pots, clothes lines, fruits, etc. The boats are cut out of quality plywood, painted using alkyd gloss enamels and brightly colored and intricately detailed. The artist supplied five boats in total. One boat 5’ x 6’, another 5’ x 4’ and the remaining boats 2’ in length.
-
- The Tree of Life Artist: Jolyon Smith Installed: 2012 Three dimensional 316 stainless steel sculpture 8ft in diameter at the dome base and 12ft high from the ground. It is inspired by the mangrove system, more specifically the red species, which is so vital to the ecosystem of the lake and oceans in and around The Bahamas. The sculpture is dressed in the tradition of Junkanoo. The sculpture’s elements of brilliant color, design and composition speaks to the joyful and free spirit that is embodied in Junkanoo
-
- Figurines Artist: Maxwell Taylor Installed: 2012 The piece depicts the Bahamian Family and is approximately 8’ x 6’ with and 14’ high . The work is made of plywood and is mounted in the meets and greet area of the International Arrivals Terminal.
-
- The Way Artist: Dede Brown Installed: 2018 A whimsical sheeted metal sculpture composed of individual fish, each rendered in enamel paint with dazzling colour and intricate detail. With a total span of 24 feet by 11 feet/square feet, the composition includes more than 30 different species of reef fish that make their home in the 900 square miles of coral reef surrounding the islands of The Bahamas. A symbolic nod to the journeys of those travelling through LPIA, this sculpture helps to create a warm sense of welcome for visitors and homecoming for returning residents.