Inspiration

A Local’s Guide to the Bahamas

Artist John Cox on the rising cultural scene in the Bahamas.
Aerial view of the islands beautiful sandy bottom and green water contours of the Exumas in the Bahamas.
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Painter, sculptor, and installationist John Cox was born and raised in the Bahamian capital of Nassau before heading to Providence to study at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is the former chief curator at the National Art Gallery in the Bahamas and currently oversees the 2,500-piece local art collection at Nassau resort Baha Mar. His work has been instrumental in raising the Bahamian profile in the international art world.

This interview is part of The World Made Local, a global collaboration between the seven international editions of Condé Nast Traveler in which 100 people in 100 countries tell us why their home turf should be your next destination.

Tell us about your connection to the Bahamas.

I grew up here and noticed that we have such a brain drain. So it is nice to feel like I am contributing to the country. Tourism is such a big part of our identity. We are known for beaches and partying. We can support that, but I think there is an opportunity for a paradigm shift to show everyone that we can do something different from an art perspective. The artistic practice of a country is such a reflection of the place. Our art is more than seagulls flying into the horizon.

What excites you about the Bahamas now?

In the last few decades there have been so many more Bahamian females who have blossomed in art and design. Giovanna Swaby is one to watch, as are Sydney Colby and April Bay. I don’t see a lot of this type of shift happening in other sectors. It helps us be more complex than sun, sand, and sea. Other places have sun, sand, and sea too. Sometimes the tourists don’t get that there is more.

John Cox

Melissa Alcena

And where should people go for art?

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas opened in 2003 and changed the landscape of the cultural art scene because it gave us a space dedicated to local art and to letting tourists appreciate it. The curators do a beautiful job. It is inside the former home of the chief justice of the Bahamas. It is not big, but it has excellent shows.

What is your all-time favorite spot that you return to again and again?

I go to Eleuthera. I’m a cycling enthusiast, and it has a lot of rolling hills. Plus the Queen’s Highway runs north to south. It is an easy space to explore; just rent a bike and do it. The Bahamas isn’t sold as a cycling space, but it should be!

Where should we eat?

A great restaurant at the island house is called Shima; it has amazing salmon bowls at lunch. Also check out The Landing on Harbour Island. The restaurant does a great eggs Benedict. Travelers Rest in Nassau is where to go for traditional Bahamian food like peas and rice and grouper fingers and cracked conch.

Follow John Cox on Instagram @iamjohnedwardcox