By Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Oyster Boat (c) Jonathan Green
Custodians of the tides
In the waters that weave through the Sea Islands, the maritime boatmen are the silent stewards of the tides, the skilled navigators who have long connected these coastal communities to the wider world.
Boat Men (1985/1985) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Custodians of the tides
Jonathan Green’s depictions of these boatmen are not just portraits of men at work; they are homages to a way of life that is as old as the islands themselves, steeped in tradition, expertise, and an intimate knowledge of the sea.
Guiding the waterways
The maritime boatmen of the Sea Islands, often seen guiding their vessels through narrow creeks and open bays, are portrayed by Green with a quiet dignity. Their work is demanding, requiring not only physical strength but also a deep understanding of the ever-changing waters.
Yellow Boat Ride (1992/1992) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Guiding the waterways
In these men, Green captures the essence of a life lived in rhythm with the tides, where the sea is both a source of sustenance and a constant challenge.
These boatmen are more than just fishermen or ferrymen; they are custodians of a maritime tradition that has been passed down through generations. The boats they pilot are often simple, sturdy vessels designed to withstand the shifting currents and shallow waters of the Lowcountry. They are symbols of the enduring connection between the people of the Sea Islands and the ocean that surrounds them.
Masters of the sea
Green’s art highlights the moments of preparation and labor that define the lives of these boatmen. Whether it’s mending nets by the dock, loading supplies onto the boat at dawn, or steering through fog-covered waters, each scene reflects the skill and perseverance required.
Balance on a Rice Barge (2013/2013) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Masters of the sea
The boatmen are depicted in a perpetual dance with the elements, where experience and intuition are as vital as any map or compass.
Lifelines across the water
But there is also a sense of community in Green’s portrayals. The boatmen are not isolated figures; they are part of a larger network of people whose lives are intertwined with the sea.
Omar Taking Rice to Flat Boat (2020/2020) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Lifelines across the water
Their boats are lifelines, connecting the islands to each other and the mainland, bringing goods, news, and people across the waters. The boatmen serve as the vital link between the islands, their work ensuring the flow of commerce and communication that sustains the community.
Heritage carried forward
Many of these maritime boatmen are descendants of Africans who were brought to the Sea Islands centuries ago, and the skills they use today including boatbuilding, navigation, fishing are all rooted in the knowledge passed down from those ancestors.
Green’s depictions often hint at this continuity, showing the boatmen as carriers of a heritage that is both practical and spiritual, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Sea Island communities.
Ocean's reflection
In the quiet moments captured by Green, when a boatman pauses to survey the horizon or rests after a long day at sea, there is a sense of reflection and connection to the vastness of the ocean.
Pole Man on Rice Barge (2013/2013) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Ocean's reflection
These are not just men working a trade; they are custodians of a relationship with the sea that is both ancient and enduring, a bond that shapes their identity and their community.
Listen to the Bird Song (1991/1991) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Harmony with the water
Through his art, Jonathan Green honors the maritime boatmen of the Sea Islands, recognizing them as more than just laborers of the sea.
Boat Ride (1988/1988) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Navigating more than water
They are keepers of tradition, navigators of both water and culture, and vital figures in the story of the Lowcountry.
Guiding a Rice Barge (2013/2013) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Ebb, flow, and continuity
Their lives, captured in the ebb and flow of the tides, reflect the ongoing relationship between the Sea Island people and the ocean.
Boat Ride in the Marshland (1989/1989) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Guided by nature
A relationship built on knowledge and respect.
Loaded Rice Barge (2013/2013) by Jonathan GreenJonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
Knowledge in every wake
A relationship built on a profound understanding of the maritime world.
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