This current work centers on the resilience of Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. While the storm brought devastation, these paintings focus on what follows, he decision to rebuild homes, restore lives, and preserve culture. With the majority of my family still in Jamaica, I feel continually pulled back to their experience. Their stories, strength, and determination are inseparable from the work itself. Knowing that they press forward despite loss continues to deepened my understanding of what resilience truly means. I return often to the phrase "this too shall pass," not as denial of hardship, but as a declaration of faith and endurance. 

My paintings and drawings are a way for me to explore the idea of having a “home” while feeling “homeless”. My earlier works were based on an investigation into the journey of African Migrants through the Sahara desert and Mediterranean sea to Europe. With recent events in war torn African countries I wonder about the politics of conflict in the Sub-Saharan regions and its ripple effect and contribution towards human displacement. This focus is personal; It is an introspective conversation centered on my current status as an immigrant in the United States of America. From endless exploration of visual vocabularies, every single gesture and depiction of objects is channeled towards creating a cinematic, panoramic, immersive, and performative environment.

The newest body of work is a continuation of his PLAYTIME series. Mixed Media pieces on panel, collaged with handwritten notes layered across the works like emotional fingerprints. They offer viewers insight into Amand’s thoughts during the creative process. “The writing captures what visuals sometimes lose,” he says. “Each piece is making me as much as I’m making it.”  The goal is to have the work appreciated even more as gems would be unearthed by viewers, piecing together parts of the story of his childhood and journey of self-discovery. There are tiny nods to Amand’s childhood through his inclusion of the Hot Wheels cars that he played with, the subjects wearing oversized helmets preparing them to start driving to destinations unseen, and the spicy chili peppers, reminding Amand of his grandmother’s cooking.