Caribbean Old House

A sculptural tribute to traditional Caribbean architecture and the everyday elements that defined island living

Caribbean Old House - Complete Sculpture
Click to enlarge

About This Work

"Caribbean Old House" is a detailed sculptural recreation of the traditional wooden houses that once dominated the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. These humble structures, with their distinctive architectural elements, represent a significant part of our cultural heritage that is rapidly disappearing in the face of modernization.

This piece captures not just the house itself, but the complete ecosystem of Caribbean domestic life: the concrete standpipe that served as a community water source, the ever-present banana tree providing both food and shade, and the clothesline where garments would dance in the tropical breeze.

Through meticulous attention to detail and the use of authentic materials, this sculpture preserves a way of life that newer generations may never experience firsthand, serving as both an artistic expression and a historical document.

Year

2024

Medium

Wood, concrete, paper, metal, plastic, fabric

Location

Cambridge, MA

Caribbean Old House - Front angle view
Click to enlarge
Caribbean Old House - Side view on display
Click to enlarge
Caribbean Old House - Back view
Click to enlarge

Key Elements

Exploring the four essential components that define this sculptural piece

The House

The centerpiece with characteristic wooden jalousie windows, corrugated metal roof, and elevated structure on stilts

Features:

  • Weathered wood texture
  • Jalousie windows for ventilation
  • Elevated on stilts
  • Corrugated metal roofing

The Concrete Standpipe

A community fixture where people gathered to collect water, wash clothes, and exchange news

Features:

  • Community water source
  • Social gathering point
  • Pre-indoor plumbing era
  • Concrete construction

The Banana Tree

Providing shade and fruit, representing the self-sufficiency of Caribbean households

Features:

  • Broad leaves for shade
  • Hanging fruit clusters
  • Self-sufficiency symbol
  • Authentic trunk texture

The Clothes Line

Colorful garments fluttering in the breeze, adding movement and life to the scene

Features:

  • Natural sun drying
  • Miniature fabric clothes
  • Movement and life
  • Domestic rhythm