Artist, Teacher, Cultural Visionary
Antonius Roberts is a Bahamian artist, curator, and teacher.
His work has been showcased in numerous collections and he has participated in art exhibitions all across the globe.
Best known for his sculptures, installations and outdoor design, Mr. Roberts has mentored and aspired an entire generation of young Bahamian artists as both a teacher and lecturer at Government High School and at The College of the Bahamas. He played a significant role in the creation of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas and holds a lifetime membership to the institution.
Born in Nassau, Mr. Roberts received his BFA degree in painting from the Philadelphia College of Art. In 1991, alongside Bahamian artists Brent Malone, Max Taylor, Stan Burnside, Jackson Burnside, and John Beadle, Mr. Roberts formed the collaborative group B-CAUSE — Bahamian Creative Artists United for Serious Expression — an organisation dedicated to the promotion of Bahamian art and artists.
In 2013, Mr. Roberts Bubbles exhibition was installed as part of the expansion of Lynden Pindling International Airport. That same year, Mr. Roberts opened an art gallery and studio in the historic Hillside House, a single story structure built in 1840 and one of the eleven existing properties on Cumberland Street, originally established in 1768. The renovated Hillside House has become an active center for the Bahamian creative community.
Up until 2017, Mr. Roberts was Curator of the Central Bank of The Bahamas Art Gallery.
Mr. Roberts is the recipient of the E. Clement Bethel Award from the University of the Bahamas, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s Cacique Award for the Arts, and The Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award.
Antonius Roberts has had a great impact on the growth, development, and direction of the art community and of several institutions that have positively affected The Bahamas: The Central Bank of The Bahamas; FINCO Summer Arts Workshops; Charitable Arts Foundation; The Lyford Cay School Scholarship Fund; and Junior Junkanoo, of which he is the principal founder, just to name a few.
His most recent passion is Project I.C.E. a creative community space and incubator for young artists in The Bahamas.
“Incubator for Collaborative Expression has been a long time in the making. For many years, I’ve dreamed of creating a shared space that would allow scientists, educators, researchers, artists, mathematicians and engineers to experience and benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration. A hub that symbolizes the perfect melting pot of local artistry, industry, ecology and community outreach, it also provides a sanctuary to our local cottage industries that sustain the livelihood of many,” said Roberts.
Considered ‘The Godfather” of the Bahamian art community, Antonius Roberts lives and works in Nassau.