On June 12, Miles Regis unveiled a brand new Augmented Actuality work for the annual Summer time for the Metropolis Competition at Lincoln Middle, positioned at 10 Lincoln Middle Plaza, New York, NY 10023. Titled “Secure Area,” the immersive fee and expertise brings the Trinidad-born artist’s signature vibrant, expressive fashion to Lincoln Middle’s campus, honoring the various cultures in New York.
Etienne Charles is longtime buddies with Regis and is a celebrated trumpeter and bandleader whose work fuses jazz with Afro-Caribbean ritual, reminiscence, and motion. His previous performances at Lincoln Middle additionally communicate to comparable themes of Regis’ work: expressing creativity via tradition and easy methods to create artwork for public house and cultural visibility.
It could shock individuals to know that Regis has a fantastic humorousness and that Charles is left-handed.
Regis, commenting on the individuals who’ve had probably the most vital affect in his life and profession, mentioned, “My mother and father instilled a way of confidence in me that has served me nicely all through my lifetime. Being true to myself and understanding that my expertise is exclusive to me and solely me is actually what has allowed me to decide to this pursuit of a profession within the arts.”
Ranges of excellence additionally encourage Regis, so anybody who has excelled of their discipline has been a pure inspiration to him, together with musicians reminiscent of Michael Jackson, Stevie Marvel, and Whitney Houston, in addition to different individuals in varied fields.
Charles mentioned Louis Armstrong significantly influenced him as a musician as a result of “He actually modified music ceaselessly.”
Regis and Charles grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, within the Caribbean. Discussing what it was like rising up there, Charles mentioned, “Rising up in Trinidad was particular. Cultural expression in all types: Music, artwork, fashion, meals, Carnival. Carnival and Folklore actually formed a number of my early cultural being and offered so lots of my most vivid influences to create music.”
Regis shared an analogous sentiment and said that festivals like Carnival performed a big position in his growth as a well-rounded, open-minded particular person and a artistic spirit.
“My upbringing was actually magical in some ways. I had wonderful position fashions, beginning with my mother and father and a vibrant artistic group to attract inspiration. It teaches you to profoundly respect variations,” added Regis.
Charles defined his profession: “My first ‘gig’ was a church service at a Religious Baptist church in Fyzabad, Trinidad. I used to be 12. I keep in mind it like yesterday. Then, a few years later, at 14, I began taking part in drums in a Pentecostal church and trumpet in my Catholic Church. My profession within the US began in Tallahassee with Leon Anderson’s Quintet and Papo Carrasco’s Latin Perspective.”
Regis has been on stage since he was 5 years previous. He began singing and composing calypso music with my mom, Trinidad legend Pelham Goddard. By the age of 11, he was competing in classical music and calypso competitions. Portray and poetry have been additionally a big a part of my world then. I simply cherished being a artistic little one.
“Ultimately, I began singing for the favored band Fireflight in my late teenage years. I recorded and toured with them for a few years earlier than leaving for school within the USA. I moved to Los Angeles at age 21 and continued to pursue all of the artistic endeavors that have been pricey to me as an adolescent,” Regis added.
My buddies collaborated throughout the Carnival in Trinidad. Recalling the expertise, Charles said, “This was particular. Miles’ work is so vivid, and I knew it could look wonderful if blown up on the streets for Carnival.” Elaborating on this, Regis defined that the collaboration for Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago was a pure evolution of their mutual respect and creativity.
Charles and Regis have alternatives to collaborate typically since Regis has been a longtime fan of Charles’ music, and Charles was a fan of my paintings and clothes.
“Etienne began gathering my artwork and buying clothes to put on on stage. Ultimately, he began commissioning me to do clothes for his appearances. Our artistic conversations about wearable artwork led to him asking me to design for his 2025 Carnival showcase. It was an easy and respectful collaboration paying tribute to Trinidadian Folklore, an issue I’ve performed a deep dive into and created work on previously. Etienne additionally has a superb music challenge titled ‘Folklore,’ so it appeared like the proper theme for us to discover,” Regis continued.
Each Regis and Charles had a second the place they realized their artwork and music had an analogous theme of expressing creativity via tradition and easy methods to create artwork for public house and cultural visibility.
Reflecting on this, Regis says it’s a steady one for him since he looks like he’s solely simply getting began. He by no means actually looks like he’s attained any degree of accomplishment that makes him really feel like he’s achieved his objectives. For him, this may present up throughout the Lincoln Middle occasion, which has at all times been his dream place to have interaction with the group.
“It’s a particular feeling to grasp the importance of bringing Caribbean expression, particularly from islands traditionally missed in lots of situations, at these prestigious areas. Miles understands that as nicely. It’s a privilege in addition to my obligation. So when you’ve got an opportunity to collaborate to deepen perspective and add dimensions, Miles is my first name,” Charles shared in reflection.
Discussing how the love and tradition of the Caribbean diaspora exist in his work, Charles mentioned it’s all of his music, significantly the grooves, the tales, and the tune titles. For Regis, he believes he’s channeling messages which are meant for the collective entire.
Regis desires to share the message with not solely Black individuals on this nation but in addition Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean: “By no means apologize for being who you’re. Our ancestors paved the best way for us to be as genuine as we probably might be. Authenticity is essential.”
Charles’ message to the group is: “Artwork brings us collectively. We have to keep that approach. It’s a type of communication throughout the diaspora.”
Regis says he would love his legacy to contain somebody genuinely captivated with artwork, music, or something. He desires them to see themselves in him and discover inspiration from his story, his work, and his dedication to his craft.
Charles had an analogous perspective and mentioned, “I believe Miles and I’ve an analogous objective to create items that can stand the take a look at of time and communicate lengthy after we’re gone.”
The immersive expertise of “Secure Area” might be out there at Lincoln Middle from June 14 to Oct. 14, 2025.
Regis has additionally created a restricted version print centered on the theme of “Love is Our Language,” which celebrates the enjoyment, resilience, and cultural reminiscence throughout diasporic communities. The print might be on sale via Lincoln Middle Editions. These can buy the paintings right here: https://art.lincolncenter.org/products/love-is-our-language.
