Yabisi/Guada (2022)
Commissioned by Dr. Sonia Peter, Biocultural Education and Research Programme (Barbados) for adult and children’s educational coloring books on native Barbadian plants.
Overview
Yabisi/Guada (Tree Garden) is a collection of original mixed-media collages created for two educational coloring books focused on the fruits and trees indigenous to Barbados. The project was commissioned by Dr. Sonia Peter, Executive Director of the Biocultural Education and Research Programme, with the goal of fostering public awareness and appreciation for the island’s botanical biodiversity.
The books—designed for both children and adults—were officially launched at a public reception on August 30, 2022, at Queen’s Park in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Materials & Process
Created through fieldwork and close collaboration with Dr. Peter, each collage draws directly from time spent visiting local farms across Barbados. I photographed and sketched native plants onsite before developing the final collages in studio. The imagery highlights plants such as okra, passionfruit, papaya, and breadfruit—each rendered through cut paper, layered textures, and vibrant forms intended to engage viewers across age groups.
The works combine observational study with interpretive mark-making, serving both an educational and artistic purpose.
Collaborators
Commissioned by Dr. Sonia Peter, ethnobotanist and natural product chemist, on behalf of the Biocultural Education and Research Programme (Barbados).
