Espiritu Africano Captivates at CMCArts

M.A. Dworkin 

St. Croix - There is much to be said about an artist whose main concern is the spirit and the soul of their subject. They look at people from a slightly different lens than the rest of us. They are not trying to be commercial or avant-garde. They are not trying to be outspoken in any artistic sense. They are looking to be interpretive. Interpretive of real feelings and emotions. Interpretive of finding the spirit of the person and bringing it to light on canvas. Interpretive in somehow, momentarily, touching the soul of their subjects. It’s a genuine love affair of sorts that not many artists can pull off.

Mark Feijao Milligan II, whose solo exhibition, Espiritu Africano, opened recently at CMCArts in Frederiksted, is the type of artist who is searching to interpret the true depths and feelings of people and bring these depths to the surface on canvas. It also appears, by his zest for expression and balance, he is looking to create a newly found interpretation of what that person’s life might be all about; to closely observe their spirit and movement in such a way as to try and bring out their true sense through his use of color and space. What is fleshed out of it all, is a sense of what that person loves, what they feel, and their blunt reaction and understanding of the world that surrounds them.

In his Land Justice I, giclee, a stunning portrait of a woman who is not entirely of this dimension, or perhaps she is somehow caught in this dimension. She may exist in a partial state of flora. She is somber. She is smart. She knows the ill winds of the past all too well. But she is unshakable. She will not succumb to life’s inequities. 

Woman and Snake, acrylic on canvas, is a penetrating look at the prey and the beauty. The snake has not captured her, And yet it seems to somehow co-exist with her. Wrapping itself around her dreams, her waking self. Guiding her, cautioning her. She somehow lives in both her world and in her predator’s world. She has no doubt conquered it. In so doing, she has found a silent confidence in which to face the future.    

Woman with Flowers; Man with Flowers, both oil on wood, here Mr. Milligan drills deep into his subject’s mind, flesh and soul. The unflinching stares of these two subjects will haunt you far beyond your view of them on the CMCArts 2nd floor gallery walls. They will hypnotize you, if you let them. They will direct you to some naked place of truth that will force you to have a clear-eyed vision of their world. You will! You will Believe in their truth!

Girls Catching Fireflies, oil on canvas, the wonders of young life. The hopes, the dreams of two young girls who currently see life from their singular vision of the gaiety that lies ahead. Ah youth, and its endless rewards. We should all be so lucky to find such an innocent time in our lives. Let it be so. 

Ochun III, acrylic on canvas, the joy and beauty of nature. The wonders of womanhood in all its glory. The emerging modern-day Goddess from the primordial waters. The height of sensuality as it co-exists with God’s given earth. The artist displays it all with his sweeping vision. 

There is so much magic created here by this Master of the Arts. Mark Feijao Milligan II offers us a glimpse of life that most of us could never see in our everyday world, never to be conjured up in our dreams. All we can do is be thankful he has let us in on his visions and allowed us a glimpse into his world of beauty, mystery and wonder.

The music fit the scene like a silk glove at CMCArts. The Rivert Diaz Band playing Buena Vista Club covers, keeping the courtyard upbeat, smooth and mellow. Alba’s Restaurant on King Street dishing up great shrimp ceviche, tasty fried wings and pates. What could be finer?   

And so it was another night of special happenings at CMCArts, like so many nights this team of thoughtful and ultra-dedicated keepers of the arts have presented over the years. They have dug themselves in for the long haul. They have made their stand on Strand. Riding on the force of the creative winds that blow off the Caribbean Sea.

Espiritu Africano closes on August 30, 2025 at CMCArts in Frederiksted.