Hailing from the Pomeroon River, Everley Austin has been creating ceramic masterpieces for more than 43 years, incorporating his artistic flavour of colour and distinct designs.
Of Warrau and African-Guyanese descent, Austin started making ceramics pieces from the early age of nine. He copied the designs from Chinese vases and used ordinary paint for the finish. The pieces were unfired: lathered water colour and a coat of lacquer were used.
In a previous interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Austin said that his mother provided scope for his creation by giving away his work, so there was always a space in the home for another piece.
Born March 3, 1948, Austin noted: “Since from childhood I would create many ceramics pieces; it came naturally to me, and my mother would always encourage me. She kept giving away my ceramic work so that there is always room for more pieces, which motivated me to continue.”
In 1969 he was exposed to finished ceramic pieces when he participated in an exhibition of clay and clay products. Then in 1970, after an interview for the entrance to the Pre Service Teachers’ Training College, he was recommended for a scholarship to study ceramics at the Royal College of Art in London.
After training college, he continued to create his ceramic pieces and went back to the Pomeroon to continue teaching, but not for long. He was requested to return to Georgetown in 1973 to teach where he and several of his colleagues started- the Sophia Centre for delinquents. He taught Art and Craft.
Later, he became a part-time student of the Burrowes School of Art in 1975 and in 1976 was awarded a conditional scholarship to study fine arts at the Jamaica School of Art. At that school, Austin graduated with an Honour. Returning to Guyana, he graduated and commenced working at the Burrowes School of Art in 1980. In that year, he participated in an exhibition at the Jamaica Pegasus, and later that same year mounted a one-man show at the John Pear Tree Gallery Jamaica.
From 1982 to 1990 he was the judge for Guyfesta Art and Craft Exhibitions. He was also a judge for the Children’s Mashramani Costume Competition for many years, and later became the Chief Judge. He was responsible for decorating the National Park for the Mashramani Anniversary celebrations. In 1992 and 1996 he took works from Guyana’s art
collection to Trinidad for Carifesta, and in 1994 set up a special art exhibition for Her Majesty Queen’s Elizabeth’s visit to Guyana. This exhibition was later one of the first displayed at the National Art Gallery at the Castellani House. Austin was the first curator of Castellani House from 1994 to 1996, and was responsible for mounting the exhibits for the opening of the African Heritage Museum (then called the Museum of African Art and Ethnology) under Dr Denis Williams.
In 2001, he migrated to Botswana where he taught the general subject of Art for 2 years. He returned to Guyana in 2006 and recommenced his teaching at the Burrowes School of Art.
“When I’m sculpting I think of nature. Most of excitement is from glazing them, and when I create these too I think about the likes of people which sometimes motivate me to create extraordinary pieces. Clay is very exciting and easy to work for me because of being in it for many years,” Austin noted.
For decades, Austin has been responsible for introducing the elements and practical methods of ceramic-making to scores of students in Guyana and elsewhere. (Information by National Gallery curator Elfrieda Bissember)
For more information on the artist, contact Castellani House on 225-0579.
