Jodi Tobman, assistant to artist André Manzel Henderson and caretaker of his works, recently shared part of Henderson’s story. Tobman, who has lived in Aruba for about thirty years, explained that she is honored to represent Henderson’s art on the island.
“We are very fortunate as a community to have this work come to Aruba, thanks to the support of Maria Silva of Vibration PR, who originated the idea,” Tobman said. The project was made possible with generous contributions from sponsors including UNOCA, VNO, Basha Foundation, Aruba Wine & Dine, and the Cultuurfonds. According to Tobman, it truly is a labor of love. Many people have already visited the exhibition and met Henderson during his time in Aruba. The show, titled The Journey, highlights a powerful theme.
Fort Zoutman has been incredibly generous in supporting the project by providing space to display these artworks for the public. Organizers hope to extend the exhibition through the end of September so school groups, residents of care homes, and other community members will have a chance to experience it. The entire Aruban community is invited to visit Fort Zoutman, bring their children, and see these works that many have described as museum-quality. The pieces honor the history of those who were captured during the era of slavery.
Unique works dedicated to ancestors
The collection features a range of pieces, including paintings on Georgia pine wood — the same wood once used to build ships that carried enslaved people. Some works use a candle-burning technique to create striking effects. “The artist wants each visitor to draw their own conclusions and feel what the artwork means to them,” Tobman explained. Another collection, titled The Last Voyage, was created especially for Aruba. One of the remarkable aspects of these works is that every viewer can interpret them differently, seeing and feeling things that others might not.
About André Manzel Henderson
Born in the United States, André Manzel Henderson has roots in Montserrat through his mother. From a young age, he studied African American history as well as fine art, drawing from the moment he could hold a pencil. Henderson is passionate about honoring his ancestors and their stories — stories he believes belong to all of us in the Caribbean.
About fifteen years ago, Henderson moved to Atlanta, where he began dedicating more time to painting and less to other types of work. Painting, he realized, was what he truly wanted to do. Friends supported him by loaning materials or studio space. One day, while painting, he felt frustrated, as if he was just pushing paint around on paper. In that moment, he heard a voice telling him, “Paint something for us.”
He asked, “Who are you?” and the voice replied, “We are your ancestors.”
After that, he returned to the canvas and began documenting the transatlantic slave trade, honoring the memory of Africans who never made it to the shores of the Americas or the Caribbean because they died during the journey. Many perished from hunger, malnutrition, drowning after being thrown overboard or jumping themselves, unable to survive. There is no precise number that accounts for how many people were captured, enslaved, or lost their lives during those brutal crossings.
Tobman added, “For example, we know that around six million Jews and Gypsies died during the Second World War, but for the Africans who were abandoned at sea, there is no such information. Henderson’s work is meant to honor those ancestors.”
