TERN

TERN is proud to announce our group exhibition, “We Are Our Own Discoverers”, for the annual Transforming Spaces art tour (@tsbahamas ), taking place on May 30th and 31st. We invite guest curator Christina Wong-Turnquest (@christinamwong177 ) to lead us on this daring objective. Four explorers, Cydne Jasmin Coleby (@cydoodles ), Amaani Hepburn (@amaanihepburn ), Matthew David Rahming (@macchu_thelesser ), and Heino Schmid (@schmidheino ), are positioned as adventurers and discoverers entrusted with a fearless mission: to investigate the undercurrents of community, culture, and identity. Inspired by the late Patricia Glinton-Meicholas’ poetry collection “Chasing Light”, specifically the poem “Staking Claim to Our Souls.” This exhibition becomes a journey through shadowed spaces toward revelation, reclamation, and radiance. Here, light operates as a force that clarifies, confronts, and transforms. To learn more about Transforming Spaces and to purchase tickets, visit the Transforming Spaces website. If you have any questions about the exhibition email us [email protected]. #terngallery #weareourowndiscoverers #transformingspaces #caribbeanartists

Join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday to Cydne Jasmin Coleby (@cydoodles ) ! 🎊 Today we celebrate Cydne — an artist whose practice powerfully explores the complexities of Caribbean identity, memory, and inherited narratives. Her ability to weave together personal histories, Bahamian cultural aesthetics, and collective experiences into deeply resonant works continues to leave a lasting impact both locally and internationally. We are honored to represent and support her journey, and look forward to witnessing all that this next chapter brings. Wishing you a beautiful year ahead filled with inspiration, growth, and continued success. You the birthday, everyone say Happy Birthday, Cydne! ✨ Featured artwork: Cydne Jasmin Coleby Cheesin', 2024 Archival print, hand embellished with acrylic, wax pastel, glitter and acrylic pearls 24 x 20 in. (60.96 x 50.80 cm) #cydnejasmincoleby #happybirthday #caribbeanartists #terngallery

Join us in congratulating the outstanding Leasho Johnson (@leasho_johnson ) on his newfound shared representation with Mariane Ibrahim Gallery! Founded in 2012 by Mariane Ibrahim, Mariane Ibrahim Gallery has become an influential force in the contemporary art world, celebrated for championing artists of the African diaspora and amplifying diverse global voices. With spaces in Chicago, Paris, and Mexico City, the gallery has built an international platform known for its thoughtful curatorial vision, institutional collaborations, and commitment to shaping the future of contemporary art. We’re excited to see Leasho join such a dynamic program, and to witness this next chapter of his practice unfold on an even greater stage. Keep doing great things, Leasho. We’re proud to witness your continued growth. We look forward to all that lies ahead together! — Your family at TERN #leashojohnson #caribbeanartists #marianeibrahimgallery #terngallery

Delton Barrett Valedictorian, 2026 Digital prints, poured resin, collage and handmade frame 63 x 43 in. (160.02 x 109.22 cm) An excerpt from: “Two or more things at once is one” Essay written by Kevanté A.C. Cash “I did a small works study on texture from the last show me, Keith, and Kachelle did together (To All Who Come To This Happy Place: Welcome). So that was me beginning to experiment with ‘how do I create texture with the photographs already there?’ and I carried out a lot of experiments and came to a conclusion that was comfortable for me.” “There are a lot of elements within photographs that I really like to emphasize. I feel like this approach helps me to stretch the meaning of these elements a bit more, to show the different dynamics of clothing, props, things that I want to make stand out.” As we’re in the final week of the exhibition, thank you to everyone who has visited and spent time with the work. It has been meaningful to share this presentation and witness the conversations and connections it has sparked. The exhibition remains on view through May 2nd, For those interested in learning more about Delton (@delton_b_art ) and Keith’s (@thatprettyboyflack0 ) respective practices, please reach out to us at [email protected] #theunderside #terngallery #caribbeanphotography #caribbeanart

Happy belated Earth Day! 🌱 We’re taking a quiet moment to reflect on the natural beauty that shapes how we live, through the eyes of our artists. Inspired by the lush flora of our islands, each work embodies a deep connection to the natural world that surrounds and sustains us. From tropical forms to soft, organic details, these pieces invite us to appreciate the details and the beauty around us. Today feels like a good day to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the details—both in art and in nature. Every day, we celebrate the landscapes, ecosystems, and living rhythms that shape our creative voices. Featured artwork: Tessa Whitehead Mother 1, 2022 Oil on Linen 67 x 67 in (170.2 x 170.2 cm) Anina Major Nest, 2024 Glazed stoneware 21 x 16 x 18 in (53.34 x 40.64 x 45.72 cm) Marisa Holland Athena’s Garden, 2025 Oil on Board 10 x 8 in. (25.40 x 20.32 cm) John Reno Jackson solar pressure, 2026 acrylic, sandstone, acrylic resin, silver thatch palm, and synthetic wax on canvas 14 x 16 in. (35.56 x 40.64 cm) Melissa Alcena Arawak Cay Boys, II, 2021 Hahnemühle fine art Baryta print 30 x 24 in (76.2 x 61 cm) #earthday #caribbeanart #floraandfauna #terngallery

Keith Thompson 40 Acres and a H, 2026 Acrylic on canvas 52½ x 44 in. (133.35 x 111.76 cm) An excerpt from “To Dream Is To Paint Is To Manifest” Essay written by Kevanté A.C. Cash: Thompson's larger-than-life works typically tackle themes of racial exploitation, justice, and the championing of Black bodies made visible in touristic and art spaces. He never imagined an interest in putting paintbrush to canvas would lead to him visually translating his inner world in such bizarre – and sometimes whimsical – ways. “This (new body of) work is about an anti-tourism way of thinking. I wanted to continue that conversation, especially since I’ve been (working) in tourism for most of my life. I’ve already worked for two of the biggest hotels here; and the energy that is in those spaces is just not conducive to people being themselves and really honing in on their talents and expressing it in a meaningful way.” If you haven’t seen the exhibition yet, there is still plenty of time as it is open now through May 2nd! To learn more about Delton (@delton_b_art ) and Keith’s (@thatprettyboyflack0 ) practices, send us an email at [email protected]. #theunderside #terngallery #caribbeanphotography #caribbeanart

EXPO Chicago Booth 238 (FOCUS Section) April 9–12, 2026 It’s the final day at EXPO! The past few days have been truly special—filled with great conversations, new connections, and familiar faces. We’ve felt the support and enthusiasm, and we genuinely appreciate everyone who has taken the time to engage with the work. We’re here today from 11am to 6pm. If you haven’t visited our booth yet, stop by to see the presentation and spend some time with Amanda and the team. Ask questions, dive into the work with us, and make the most of the last day! Thank you again for having us. For more information about our presentation at EXPO Chicago, please email [email protected] #terngallery #expochicago #caribbeanart #caribbeanartists

Congratulations to Blue Curry (@blue_curry ) and Leasho Johnson (@leasho_johnson ), who, alongside their presentation with TERN at EXPO Chicago, are also included in “Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón”, a major group exhibition curated by Carla Acevedo Yates at the Museum of Contemporary Art (@mcachicago ), Chicago, on view April 14 through September 20, 2026. “Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón” is a major exhibition that explores and expands the visual, political, and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art—two dynamic genres that have transcended their grassroots origins to shape global culture. From Kingston to San Juan through Panama, New York City, and London, Dancing the Revolution positions music and dance as a revolutionary practice for collective liberation rooted in the struggle against colonial oppression. Featured Artwork: (Carousel slide 1: panel 1; Carousel slide 2: panel 2) Leasho Johnson, Perplexity of the Consumed (Anansi #38), 2026. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim Blue Curry, J Bar 2.0, 2026 Courtesy of the artist To learn more about Curry and Johnson’s practices visit our website #mcachicago #bluecurry #leashojohnson #carlaacevedoyates

EXPO Chicago Booth 238 (FOCUS Section) April 9–12, 2026 On to EXPO Day 2! We’ve had a fantastic time at EXPO so far. If you haven’t had the chance to stop by our booth and see it in all its glory, we encourage you to experience it firsthand. We will be on view through April 12th at Navy Pier, Chicago. Below are the artists’ biographies so you can learn more about their practices. Born in Nassau, The Bahamas, Blue Curry (b. 1974) initially trained in photography at the University of Westminster (2004) before graduating from Goldsmiths College’s MFA Fine Art programme in 2009. Working primarily in sculptural assemblage and installation, Curry uses an idiosyncratic language of commonplace objects and found materials to engage with themes of exoticism, tourism, and material culture, challenging set fantasies around the Caribbean. Leasho Johnson (b. 1984, Montego Bay, Jamaica) is a visual artist working primarily in painting, installation, and sculpture. He obtained his MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Raised in Sheffield, a small town on the outskirts of Negril, Johnson uses his experience growing up Black, gay, and male to explore concepts around identity within the post-colonial condition. Working at the conjunction of painting and drawing, Johnson creates figures that live on the edge of perception—visible and invisible simultaneously—disrupting historical, political, and social expectations of the Black queer experience while reflecting the subtle negotiations of visibility within the rhythms of dancehall culture. To hear more about each artist’s works and practices, stop by Booth 238! The fair is open now through 7pm. See you soon! #terngallery #expochicago #caribbeanart #caribbeanartists

EXPO Chicago Booth 238 (FOCUS Section) April 9–12, 2026 We're back for our fourth year at EXPO Chicago, bringing the Caribbean heat once again! 🔥 Presenting: Blue Curry (@blue_curry ) of The Bahamas and Leasho Johnson (@leasho_johnson ) from Jamaica Within this two-person presentation, both artists engage with the tension of the perception of Caribbean people, offering sharp perspectives on how identity is shaped, performed, and interpreted across both local and global contexts. To learn more about Curry and Johnson's practices and take a closer look at the works on view, feel free to visit our Viewing Room at Artsy (link in bio). #terngallery #expochicago #caribbeanart #caribbeanartists

Kicking off EXPO Chicago! We are so excited to present Leasho Johnson (@leasho_johnson ) and Blue Curry (@blue_curry curry), bringing strong Caribbean representation to the fair. Don’t be shy — stop by and say hello at Booth 238 (FOCUS section), adjacent to the Dialogues lounge. Our gallery Co-Director Amanda Coulson is holding it down and thrilled to share more about the work. For further information about Johnson and Curry's practices, email us at [email protected]. Featured Artwork: Leasho Johnson No one wants to see, or seeing is a charity they submit to, 2025 Charcoal, distemper, watercolors, acrylic, logwood dye, indigo dye, oil, oil stick, and collage, on paper mounted on canvas 52 x 34 x 2 in. (132.08 x 86.36 x 5.08 cm) Blue Curry Rent-a-dread 1, 2024 Driftwood, golf balls, crochet tam 19 3/4 x 13 3/4 x 4 in. (50 x 35 x 10 cm) #terngallery #expochicago #caribbeanart #caribbeanartists

Inspired by our current exhibition The Underside, join us for “Tourism and the Fragility of Place”, a panel discussion with Katherine Coleby of Bahamas National Trust, Bradley Watson of Woodstar Group, and Ariannah Wells of Organization for Responsible Governance Bahamas, in conversation with Lauren Perez, co-founder of TERN. This discussion will address the fragility of place within a tourism-driven economy, highlighting the importance of policy, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development. Katherine Coleby holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a focus on Ecology & Conservation and has spent eight years advancing conservation efforts at Bahamas National Trust. Her work spans environmental education, national park programming, and public engagement initiatives that connect communities to The Bahamas’ natural resources. Bradley Watson is an environmental scientist and sustainable development specialist working at the intersection of environment, society, and economic policy. He holds master’s degrees in Biology and Sustainable Development, is a Chevening Scholar, and has represented The Bahamas internationally as Youth and Climate Ambassador. Ari Wells leads outreach initiatives at Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) Bahamas, focused on strengthening governance and advancing community and national development. Wells is currently obtaining her MSc in project management. Her work centers on equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in civic life and public decision-making. Lauren Perez holds a BA in Art History from Georgetown University and an MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London. After several years working in the London art sector, she returned to The Bahamas to help lead the development of The Island House and co-found TERN. Join us on April 9th. The talk begins at 6:30 PM EST and will be streamed on our YouTube and Facebook channels. For more information, email [email protected]. #terngallery #theunderside