Category: ARTS & CULTURE

Overseas-based Guyanese artist C. Aubrey McWatt is moved by an earnest, creative response to the human experience Aubrey McWatt’s work is influenced by a belief that the universe and everything in it, including nature, thought and emotion, are inherently connected. Aubrey’s response to the human condition is influenced by visits to more than 70 countries during an international business career of over 30 years. The fine artist’s education includes general studies at Queen’s College, British Guiana and undergraduate studies in business, with a concentration in marketing at Columbia University, New…

Guyanese “surreal” artist Kyle Rahaman always had an“interest in creative things”. He views art as a medium of dealing with anxiety and deterrence from “interesting vices”. “Art is partly an expression of subconscious thought that otherwise would never come out. For me, having access to an art room in high school was inspiration enough. I also had a great art teacher, Ravi Doodnaugth, who encouraged me.I have always been drawn to things that arouse emotions – which I find ironic since I have been told I have the emotional capacity…

“Homage to Denis Williams”, an exhibition of artworks by indigenous artists, currently ongoing at Castellani House, is the most appropriate title to celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month (September) for several reasons. Dr. Denis Williams (1923 – 1998) was a pioneer archaeologist and anthropologist who in 1974, nearly 50 years ago, founded the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which was the precursor for several prominent cultural institutions in Guyana, such as the E.R. Burrowes School of Art (1975), the Museum of African Heritage (1985), and the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House…

By Celeste Hamilton Dennis You can find him every day on the corner of the market entrance sandwiched between the currency exchange men. Women are on their way to the market to sell pink flip-flops or to buy freshly butchered chicken. Chutney music blares from dilapidated rum shops. Claude Stevens stands on a crowded and dirty corner looking for the man who said he’d come back on Tuesday to buy his coconut tree painting. Stevens waits in the midst of the raucous hustling and transient bustling—quiet, patient, stolid. You can…

For indigenous Guyanese Genevieve Cox, whose hand- embroidered artwork depicts her indigenous cultures, her embroidery is being used as art to showcase what she calls, “the natural world, stories and customs of the Atorad (Atorai), Wapishana and Arawak” nations. According to Cox, “Embroidery is not a native craft but it is the medium closest to weaving, and has its roots in basket making, mat making and sewing.” Embroidery was introduced by Guyana’s British colonial rule. While hand-made embroidery has a rich history dating back to the 5th century BC, over…

‘Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us,’ says young artist Possessing a talent for being creative, Andre Jacobus was inspired to pursue art, which serves as therapy and catalyst, to become a distinguished artist. “Art is one of the few things I enjoy doing. Also, I am always in the habit of creating stuff, so that is why I decided to take it up,” Andre said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine. The artist recalled that since he was five years old…