Multicultural art heritage on display
From June to Aug 2006, the IDB Culture Centre Gallery presented an exhibition in New York, U.S.A. that showcased and promoted Guyana’s multicultural art and art forms, on the occasion of Guyana’s 40th independence anniversary celebrations and in commemoration of the first Caribbean American Heritage Month in the U.S.
Titled, “The Arts of Guyana: A Multicultural Caribbean Adventure”, the showing illustrated the various artworks of the different ethnic groups in the country, at a unique exhibition put together with support from international and local government and private individuals, groups and organizations.
At the launch, exhibit curator Félix Ángel stated: “This exhibition has been organized with the idea of showing the multicultural composition of Guyanese society today, to give credit to the many people who have participated in the cultural definition of its nationhood as represented by architecture, and to recognize those contemporary artists who continue to work in the country no matter how difficult the practice of the arts may be.”
The display also served to preserve the works for future generations, exhibiting both traditional and contemporary works by past Guyanese artists, and artists living in Guyana at the time, both established and upcoming. These artists included Carl Anderson, Stanley Greaves, Patrick Barrington, Philip Moore, Desmond Ali, Stacia Pitt and Stephanie Correia, along with the indigenous artwork of traditional utilitarian items from the Walter Roth Museum, the African Heritage Museum and other local and overseas galleries, museums and private collections.
Guyana’s architectural heritage was also on display in the documentation of several historic buildings, sites and structures that demonstrate the traditions of the various ethnic groups in the country.
The IDB has co-financed and continues to finance many cultural studies, workshops and projects here in Guyana that involves indigenous, university and women’s groups, among others.
The exhibition was one of several other initiatives aimed at recognizing the different yet equally beautiful and significant works by the various ethnic groups within our multicultural society that year.
Though long past, the Guyana exhibition presented a singular moment in Guyanese art history, and serves to highlight the abundance of artistic talent Guyana presents to the world. (Information and photos from “The Arts of Guyana: A Multicultural Caribbean Adventure” catalogue)
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