Elechi Todd

 

B. 1994 - Trinidad

Elechi Todd is an artist from Trinidad and Tobago whose practice includes painting,
drawing and collage. His work explores processes of self-understanding and discovery in
relation to his Caribbean background, unpacking the complexities and nuances of personal andinterpersonal experiences. Todd has dedicated significant time to collaborative,community-oriented projects that cultivate public engagement with art beyond commercial and tourism-driven spaces.

Between 2015 and 2021, he worked with fellow Trinidadian artists to transform underutilised buildings into sites for dialogue, learning, community building, and the presentation of contemporary art. He has participated in residencies including The Fountainhead Residency (2019) and the Leipzig International Artist Residency (2024). Exhibitions include Why Now? at Y Art Gallery (2023), a group show instigated by Christopher Cozier, A Shot To The Ego (2020) and Prizm Art Fair (2020). 

Artist Statement
My current body of work is concerned with uncovering the nuances that exist in personal and collective experiences of Caribbean people. My practice is primarily devoted to developing avisual language that can grapple with the social tensions that characterize the experience of many people in the region. I’m dedicated to looking deeper into narrow perceptions typically manifesting as fear and/or fantasy about the Caribbean that’s seen either as a hub for crime, a tropical vacation or a Carnival destination. Juxtaposing imagery derived from these stereotypical perceptions with more mundane Caribbean imagery from my lived experience, I’m reaching for a nuanced and layered view and setting up scenarios where a shift in perception can occur. My work is experimental and process driven, often consisting of silhouettes of figures composed in relation to symbols that can sometimes have religious connotations. Successful elements from
otherwise unsuccessful paintings are often recycled and layered onto new attempts at making an image. This method of collage/painting creates the opportunity for richer associations and meanings to emerge. The patchwork construction reflects on the way Caribbean society has reconstructed itself from a fragmented past and became an entirely new people. Carnival mas (masque) making ideology is a primary driving force behind my approach to constructing images. Gluing pieces together, recycling, invention and of course shiny objects are some of the tools I use in the continued development of my practice.