Intricate paintings, sculptures, ceramics, mixed media work, textiles and tapestry pieces attracted scores of viewers who marvelled in wonder at the fascinating pieces on display at the relaunch of the University of Guyana Art Exhibition, hosted at Umana Yana on Monday evening.
Presented under the theme “Aspects of Perception: The Renaissance”, the exhibition boasted artwork of a wide variety crafted by students of the Division of Creative Arts at the local university.
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Speaking to this publication, lecturer and exhibition curator Philbert Gajadhar said the exhibition was long overdue. Presenting an overview of the programme, he related that the University started its Bachelor of Art programme in 1990 and there had been exhibitions annually, not confined to Guyana but in the neighbouring countries of Suriname and Venezuela, and even the United States of America.
A pilgrimage was started to visit two local colleges in Mississippi, USA, which saw the transportation of students and artwork for an art camp which attracted art students from all across the world, facilitating interaction and assimilation of cultures and knowledge among the artists. This had continued until 1998 when one of the students defected, sadly causing the international exhibition to be discontinued.
one of Leevon Brummel’s pieces
Gajadhar continued that around the same time the number of students enrolling in the arts programme had declined owing to the then Government’s failure to recognise the importance of art; the Education Ministry’s policy, which stipulated that only persons doing education at the University would be granted release to qualify for the programme.
Consequently, exhibits hosted after the 1999 period were confined to a small class of students – two or three at most sometimes. As such, the department, this year, in keeping with the theme “renaissance”, decided to bring a renaissance to the people of Guyana with the exhibition being the gratified end product of the relentless work of 10 students over the past year.
According to the curator, the exhibition was fittingly named “The Aspects of Perception” reflecting the diversity in Guyana, as we are from different backgrounds and we have different perceptions, more so marking the rebirth of the exhibition.
While recognising that in Guyana, like most developing countries, persons feel that art has no place other than for decoration, the co-coordinator was optimistic that the exhibition would change this common perception and raise awareness on the importance of such an aspect, as he hinted to the possibility of an annual exhibition.
Guyana Times was told that the University of Guyana has been threatened with the closure of the art department largely owing to the small number of students enrolled in the programme. However, Gajadhar assured that the programme was safe under Vice Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith, who recognised the importance of art and held firm to the belief that there was no renaissance without artists.
Griffith had even facilitated the framing and displaying of other pieces around the campus of the University.
“I see art as a catalyst of reuniting our people … bringing the people of Guyana together; as a catalyst of social cohesion and I certainly believe that we can achieve it,” Gajadhar concluded.
Meanwhile, the talented Leevon Brummel flaunted several astounding pieces under the theme “Mother Nature”. He said as he engaged onlookers about one of his works entitled “the Creator”: “… Mother Nature is a creative force in this entire piece, which is not a realistic piece, more figurative,” he enthusiastically explained, although there were some elements that could be identified.
Other featured artists include Aliesha Williams, Michael Griffith, Elodie Smith, Tonya Williams, Sandra Larocque, Chelsea Ramotar, Alvina Naughton, Keisha Beharry, and Violet Holder.
The exhibition, which commenced on Monday evening at the Umana Yana, Kingston Georgetown, is open to the public from 10:00h to 17:00h daily until June 24.
