Gabrielle Wilkes earned her BFA in Art with a concentration in Metals at Ball State
University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Born in St Lucia, in 1996, of
Trinidadian parentage; she migrated to and has since lived in ‘The Land of the
Hummingbird’. Her ancestral home, as well as personal experiences, are the
inexhaustible wellspring of her inspiration. While her degree was in metals she tends
to work in whatever medium is accessible which has led to her working in both 2D
and 3D.
Artist Statement
My art has always been directly inspired by experience. In 2020, my father was
diagnosed with cancer and subsequently passed at the beginning of 2021, after
battling for a few months. In that time I acted as his caretaker as his condition
deteriorated. The once albeit older, but strong and independent man I knew became
feeble and infirm. As he weakened my role became more prominent as he was now
dependent. This emotionally taxing experience that I struggle to put into words has
become my latest source of inspiration as I search for catharsis. Each stroke of my
brush mimicked the motion of bathing him; reliving the experience even now that he
is gone.