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The biggest secret in the VI: Who did the public artworks on display?

- Government Officials seem not to be aware who is responsible
It is still a mystery who erected the various artworks on utility poles and trees around Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters/File
From left: Chief Planner Mr Gregory W. Adams, Deputy Director of Public Works Department Jose C. B. de Castro and Bishop John I. Cline. Photo: VINO/Team of Reporters
From left: Chief Planner Mr Gregory W. Adams, Deputy Director of Public Works Department Jose C. B. de Castro and Bishop John I. Cline. Photo: VINO/Team of Reporters
The artworks popped up on the main island of Tortola from January of this year; however, there are none reported on Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke or Anegada on the sister islands. Photo: VINO/File
The artworks popped up on the main island of Tortola from January of this year; however, there are none reported on Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke or Anegada on the sister islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It seems like the slogan 'Nature’s Little Secret' has taken on a new meaning in the British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands.

It was on February 16, 2017 that our newsroom first wrote an article about the artwork that had popped up on utility poles and trees around Tortola. The artwork included displays of fishes, birds, cats, the sun and even an 'I Love BVI' in the shape of a heart.

In February, when we contacted the utility companies- mainly the BVI Electricity Corporation- they confirmed that no one had sought or was granted permission to use their poles for the display.

The City Manager, Mrs Janice Brathwaite-Edwards, said then and now she is "not aware of any application made to my office as the closest one to the City is on display at the Prospect Reef Roundabout."

A call placed on July 3, 2017 to the Chief Planner of the Territory, Mr Gregory W. Adams, whose Town and Country Planning Department oversees the issue of signage in the Territory, confirmed that to date no permission was granted to any company or individual to display the artworks throughout Tortola on public spaces.

Nobody knows; Are they Demonic?

When asked if it was ever brought to his attention who was responsible, Mr Adams said, "no." In addition, Public Works Department Deputy Director Jose C. B. de Castro also confirmed that he is not aware who placed the artworks around Tortola.

The artworks popped up on the main island of Tortola from January of this year; however, there are none reported on Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke or Anegada on the sister islands.

So the person/s or company who did the artwork and also erected them throughout Tortola remains the biggest mystery since the disappearance of Malaysia Flight 370 in 2014.

One man of the cloth, Bishop John I Cline of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom, has also claimed that the signs which display cats, fish, suns, and hearts, among other symbols, should come down as they are demonic.

After our article in February 2017 social network was on fire with some residents claiming “Looks like witchcraft to me! When they went up 'ah set ah ting' start to happen," one person posted.  Another posted on Facebook  in February, “So ironic how after they went up, a lot of stuff started to go south.”

To date, most if not all the art signage are still up and Mr Adams said in March 2017 to the local media that the Department is not primarily concerned about who is behind the artworks, but rather, "what protocols the Department need to apply."

Our investigative reporters are on the case trying to unearth who is responsible for the artworks and to crack 'Nature’s Biggest Secret’.

40 Responses to “The biggest secret in the VI: Who did the public artworks on display?”

  • police (04/07/2017, 17:23) Like (9) Dislike (31) Reply
    Take up down!
  • tretretrete (04/07/2017, 17:24) Like (49) Dislike (5) Reply
    How come nobody knows when there are metay/nosey people around who always make it their business to know other people business.
  • bat cave (04/07/2017, 17:29) Like (10) Dislike (30) Reply
    These devil people mehson
    • imagine (04/07/2017, 19:57) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      The pendulum must swing and one day we will all be the same
    • nan (06/07/2017, 22:43) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @bat cave...Really? These works of art seems to make people feel happy not demonized. These were probably put up so people can see the beauty of our island. Why is it that every time something is done, people automatically think it is witchcraft? Things happening around here was going on long these cute arts were erected. SMH.
  • Well (04/07/2017, 17:43) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    mahboi, hear ting!
  • Woi (04/07/2017, 18:20) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Them all gone
  • rewrsdffds (04/07/2017, 18:48) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    Slow news day.
    • Scary Mary (04/07/2017, 19:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The only problem I can see on the horizon is that, sooner or later, the marks always catch on, they will soon all be gone
      • Scary Mary (the real one) (07/07/2017, 10:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Don't listen to the imposter above. I did not write the above post, nor do I forget to use proper punctuation.
  • wize up (04/07/2017, 18:59) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    why not ask the police department those folks have cameras all over the place; someone officer on duty at PHQ had to see something: all the screens for those CCT cameras sits in a room....run talk that(I will be back next week again)
  • i from here (04/07/2017, 19:39) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    IF IT WAS A LOCAL THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND WE
  • Expat (04/07/2017, 19:44) Like (38) Dislike (24) Reply
    People of the BVI - we live in the 21st century. Time of Jumbies in the Caribbean is gone. I have so much respect for Bishop Cline. To call them daemons really disappoints me. They are clean, cheerful, friendly, pretty and make me smile everytime I pass one. I like to appeal to the authorities - PLEASE LEAVE THEM ON! The tourists love them and always comment and take photos
  • Jay (04/07/2017, 19:50) Like (46) Dislike (17) Reply
    BVI ppl backwards no rass buddy. Someone tries to beautify the place and it's labeled as the devil's work. Smh.
    • Joc (06/07/2017, 10:28) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      at Jay. No one has an issue with the beautifying but we have laws and policies and not one abide by them them!! SO shut your mouth
      • dog (06/07/2017, 12:28) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        "laws and policies and no one abide by them". that is true, but why take on something so small when bigger violations have occurred and TCPD DOES NOTHING! Violations in building and set-backs, engineering, oversized buildings in the wrong places etc. This is so small- AND it is reversible- meaning that they can just be taken down unlike all the development mistakes allowed by NDP and company for personal gain!
  • John (04/07/2017, 19:55) Like (36) Dislike (9) Reply
    Ah yo believe in too much obeah, what demonic and witchcraft ah yo talking bout, the things are just to beautify the place. If a person want to get rich quick, all they have to do is come to the BVI and declare that they are an obeah man or woman
    • Actually (05/07/2017, 08:48) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
      Actually if you were to do a little history check you will see Obeah was not a bad thing...it was a way our Ancestors use to heal and worship, it's the Europeans who changed up everything on us and labelled things demonic or the devil...check it out
      • hm (05/07/2017, 10:30) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        ...You talking about egyptians and those Baal worshipers...Speak for yourself... Heal? then how come they still died?.....Europeans changed a lot but I could tell you this, satanic worship is evil end of story... Some of those true satanist know the truth better than me and you... Just because we are black doesn't mean we came from the same tribe...You sound like you dabber.....have you opened your third eye too?......To each his own though...
  • musa (04/07/2017, 19:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    big up bvi cop
    • Little Haiti (04/07/2017, 20:32) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
      No wonder they call BVI little Haiti..This is what we believe this is what we practice, hurting our neighbours. Hurting each other for little of nothing. So every strange thing they get suspicious.. Its in our heads..fear.
  • Baldwin-45 Tube Organ (04/07/2017, 20:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hi there folks!, I am "DOIDEE"!!!!
  • Can someone please explain (04/07/2017, 21:00) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why do people think these pictures are demonic? What is the though process? Because I can't figure it out.

    I'm trying to understand the other point of view because they seem totally harmless to me.
    • Mr Shovels (05/07/2017, 13:08) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Because religion. It screws with some people's minds so much that they can't even see a drawing of a fish simply as a drawing of a fish
  • I TOO (04/07/2017, 21:37) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    How the sun demonic? Since when fish demonic and we does eat it? Ignorance is bliss! Everything new is demonic yet we live in a "christian/God fairing" place. Some ayo in the churches demonic. Sound so chuupid!! Are they hurting anyone? Leave them!
  • Well Sah, waste of energy! (04/07/2017, 22:37) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Use ur time to crack unsolved murders!
  • Yes (04/07/2017, 22:55) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    the biggest secret in the bvi is what happen to our pier park money.
    • Goread (05/07/2017, 09:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      You too metay. You don't have no evidence of what you hope to find. Stop inviting trouble in our islands and you can't recognize the real troublemakers.
    • @LOL (05/07/2017, 12:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      and when BVI airways gonna fly
  • z6ne (04/07/2017, 23:05) Like (9) Dislike (12) Reply
    The public needs to know what they represent and then it will be safe to make certain actions. Whether take them down because of demonic reasons or put up more for beautification.
  • love it (04/07/2017, 23:48) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    They art always put a smile on my face. I love it. The ones who are saying it is demonic is the ones who have dirty hands. What are you guys so afraid of?
  • wall n ports (05/07/2017, 00:14) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another too secret is when m & m going get lock up for thiefing we tax dallars
  • Shoofly!! (05/07/2017, 09:26) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Wall N Ports, you got evidence that M & M thief tax dollars? You even can't spell, you should lay down your pen. All you always want bad things to happen to people that look just like you. You aint saying nothing when some thiefing our lands and lying to Govt. to isolate our people? You aint know when others importing guns to destabilize our country, you aint saying nothing about the injustice done to African ancestors that the same British still enjoying their profits, you aint saying nothing about the lies told to our people by King James and his cronies, and you aint talking about the clandestine plan to import pale people to try to rein us in. You know what you need to do, start researching, start reading about our history, perhaps along the way, you would find out what are the real issues. M&N is a popular candy, your reference to M & M as individuals, they have more good in them than negative for this country. Leave them alone!! Go siddung yourself.
  • and (05/07/2017, 09:40) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    And if it is demonic forces like you ignorant people are saying, then good, at least it will keep your nosey A,,es in check.
  • LOD (05/07/2017, 09:49) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    umm, how did they get demonic now? nothing changed since they appeared, these "events" been happening before they arrived so do not blame anything on the art.. just take them down and stfu..
  • Leave the Art alone (05/07/2017, 11:25) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Please don't take the Art down. The ones that is saying the pictures is demonic is ignorant backwoods people.
  • jah know (07/07/2017, 10:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    For a place that always want to be most Holy Island, they always want to believe in obeah, devil works and demons...smh
  • up town (08/07/2017, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And after the story they are still up


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