For this week's ART WITH DEEDS segment, we shine a light on Anna Gibson, a Barbadian artist whose work deeply explores the mental and physical relationship between women, their bodies, and societal beauty standards. Through her paintings, Gibson challenges the pressures placed on women to conform to ever-changing ideals of desirability, while also reflecting on self-perception, transformation, and nostalgia.
Gibson’s artistic journey began in childhood as a passionate pastime and later evolved into her chosen career path after studying art throughout secondary school. Her creative process is rooted in personal experiences, self-reflection, and storytelling. She starts by writing out her ideas, drawing inspiration from lived moments and memories, which she then translates into sketches before bringing them to life through painting.
Exploring Beauty, Transformation & Nostalgia
In her recent work, Gibson has shifted from focusing solely on insecurities and self-doubt to questioning the constant cycle of self-re-evaluation that many women experience. She transports her altered female figures into dark, dreamlike gardens inspired by the rebirth story of the Narcissus/daffodil flower, symbolizing introspection and personal transformation. These surreal landscapes serve as spaces of escape, comfort, and reflection, where women can reconnect with themselves free from societal judgment.
Scattered throughout these gardens are objects of nostalgia, a deeply personal element of her work. This inspiration came from a house cleanout, where she rediscovered childhood treasures like old hair accessories and beloved toys. These items evoked memories of a time before external beauty standards dictated self-worth—when choices were made purely for joy, without concern for attractiveness or social expectations. Gibson captures this longing for unfiltered self-expression, reconstructing moments of innocence and confidence within her artistic world.
Art as a Tool for Social Commentary
Beyond personal reflection, Gibson’s work also extends into socially engaged art. She is currently working on a collaborative project with the **UWI Barbados Institute for Gender and Development.
